Substrate advice

[mmarino]

Hi, new to the forums and looking for advice:

I have a 110g (72"x18"x18") tank that's been up and running for about 10 years. I've recently thrown in the towel after a year long battle with cyanobacteria. I've tried everything - multiple courses of e-mycin, blackouts, nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide - it always comes back with a vengeance. Enough is enough, so I'm planning to tear it down and start over with a planted aquarium.

I currently have undergravel filters and a course gravel bed that all need to come out, so I don't see any alternative to a clean start. I'm in the process of moving my fish (about 40 assorted tetras, 6 gouramis, 6 rosy barbs, 4 corys and 3 plecos and few other survivors) to a temporary 55g set up and then I'm planning to completely clean the tank and filters start from scratch.

Here's where I need some advice on the set up: I was thinking of a substrate of Flourite as the bottom layer and EcoComplete on top, with a small gravel area for visual interest as well. Does anyone have experience with this combination or suggestions for an alternative? Just one or the other? Do I need an under gravel heater? If so, is 100 watts / 30' cable (Hydrokable from Dr's Foster&Smith) enough for my tank?

Also, should I get the plants established before returning the fish or can I add plants after the fish are back home? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

[John N.]

Originally Posted by mmarino

Here's where I need some advice on the set up: I was thinking of a substrate of Flourite as the bottom layer and EcoComplete on top, with a small gravel area for visual interest as well. Does anyone have experience with this combination or suggestions for an alternative? Just one or the other? Do I need an under gravel heater? If so, is 100 watts / 30' cable (Hydrokable from Dr's Foster&Smith) enough for my tank?

Also, should I get the plants established before returning the fish or can I add plants after the fish are back home? Any advice is appreciated.

Hi Mike, Welcome to ASW! You've come to the right place to make a fresh start.

I personally would not mix Flourite and Eco Complete. From experience, the two end up mixing and becomes a visual mess. I know there are some out there that don't mind the two mixed but in my opinion tanks with unmixed substrates look best and will highlight your aquatic plants better. With that said, I would recommend going with Eco Complete because of the black color and ease of setting up. Drop the stuff in and forget it. On the other hand, Flourite requires about 30 minutes or heavy rinsing per bag, if you don't you will end up with a cloudy mess.

As an alternative to both substrates, if you're really going to be into planted aquariums. I would recommend also considering ADA Aquasoil since its a clay based soil that has nutrients packed with it from the get-go. This allows you room for less dosing (especially in the beginning) and this soil is known to grow plants very well.

Here's a thread about undergravel substrate heaters. I've never found the need for it. The old school way of planted aquariums recommended this equipment for increasing circulation and nutrient (oxygen) movement through the substrate bed and through the plant roots. Ultimately, I don't think that's absolutely necessary and can be lefted out of the equation.

Lastly, for the fish I would pack the aquarium full of fast growing stem plants like Wisteria, Hygros, and Ludwigias before placing any fish in the aquarium. I'm not sure if you want to use the old filter media from your last tank, but that's an option to get the bacteria colonies going. Maybe consider purchasing a packet of Bio-Spira or using media from other tanks. In the end, I think it would be best to add the fish in slowly over the course of a month to give the tank a chance to mature.

-John N.

[mmarino]

John,

Thanks for the advice. The prospect of rinsing 8 bags of gravel isn't too appealing, so that's welcome news! I'll also check out the Aquasoil, though that seems harder to come by than the EC. As for anything from my current tank, that's getting a bleach bath as soon as the fish move to their temporary home. I'm even quarantining the fish between homes to avoid any trace of the old tank contaminating the new. I'll need to start the biological filter from scratch, but that's something I've had some practice with.

Mike

[John N.]

No Problem Mike. It sounds like the cyanobacteria got you good, so hopefully the new start will yield postive results for ya.

ADA Aquasoil is fairly easy to get via online order. You may want to check out aqua forest aquarium.

-John N.