I have a 135G tank that I'm in the process of setting up and I need some help on a substrate. I was thinking about going with silica sand because it's inexpensive to buy in bulk (I estimate I need close to 400lbs), but I'm concerned with compaction and maintenance issues due to the small grain size.
My only real requirements are that the substrate be black (or at least primarily black/dark in color) and that I can get the substrate for fairly cheap.
I tried to do a soil based substate once before but was unsuccessful. I had horrible algae blooms (I'm guessing that it was because of too much organic matter in the topsoil).
Can anyone help me with ideas for how to achieve my goals for a substrate?
Thank you,
Kevin
My only real requirements are that the substrate be black (or at least primarily black/dark in color) and that I can get the substrate for fairly cheap.
I tried to do a soil based substate once before but was unsuccessful. I had horrible algae blooms (I'm guessing that it was because of too much organic matter in the topsoil).
Can anyone help me with ideas for how to achieve my goals for a substrate?
Thank you,
Kevin