substrate: when is there too much?

[razum]

In general, when is there too much substrate in a tank? Say, one inch, two inches, four inches, six inches? In many planted tanks, it looks as if the substrate is fairly sparse, enough to anchor plants and provide surface contouring.

Thanks,
Razum

 

[Biollante]

I Dunno, What Have Got? Do You Read Much?

Hi,

It depends…:highly_amused:

• What kind of substrate?
  • Material(s)?
• How do you want it to look?
• What kind of plant do you wish to keep?
  • Got roots?
• What kind of critters do you want to keep?
  • Do they live part of their lives in the substrate?
• Is your substrate intended to perform a primary or secondary filtration role?

I go from no substrate at all:eek-new: to a little over 7-inches.:gw

The majority of my tanks large and small run 2-3 inches of substrate.

Biollante

 

[dutchy]

Some nature style aqauriums have the substrate in the back higher than half the tank depth.

 

[Htomassini]

The thing to keep in mind with the thicker substrate is will it hold rooting plants. Too thick of substrate and not oxygenating roots will cause issues.

I've had it as high as 8 inches at the back with plants and no issues.


Henry Tomassini
www.theplantedaquariumstore.com
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tom Barr]

Really depends on the scape and design.
Hard to say, but I sure do not like to look at a 4-8" layer in the front of any tank.