Capping substrates

[Kalita]

Yet another question from yours truly. 

My new tank (33 gal) has 20 lbs of eco complete substrate, driftwood and rocks. The substrate is 2"+ deep, however I would like to build some more depth in some areas for a more natural underwater look. I'm considering these options:

1) Just add more eco-complete. The only reason I am not just doing this is because I find it a little "sharp" and may eventually want to add some corydoras or other bottom-dwellers. 

2) Cap with sand. This would add some different texture but I'm not sure about vacuuming. I have heard it is easier to plant in sand and maybe easier for roots to grow through, but would it negatively affect the eco-complete? I'm sure the bottom dwellers would be more comfortable.

3) Add a mineral rich volcanic soil like Fluval's plant and shrimp stratum. It looks to be more rounded than the eco-complete. I would put this where I plan to plant Amazon swords which I understand are heavy root feeders.

What would you do? I'm also open to other suggestions.

 

ETA: My water is on the higher pH side (ranges from 7.8 - 8.0 so substrates that claim to lower pH wouldn't be a bad thing).

. 

 

Edited March 6, 2021 by Kalita

[Daniel]

The middle tank is capped with Black Diamond Blasting Sand over dirt and has had excellent plant growth.

The tank on the left has CaribSea 'Peace River Sand', the tank on the right has EcoComplete. I don't think the Black Diamond Blasting Sand would affect the EcoComplete (EcoComplete doesn't do that much anyway).

I would likely go with Black Diamond Blasting Sand for aesthetic and financial reasons. I bought theBlack Diamond Blasting Sand bag locally at Tractor Supply for $10.

[OceanTruth]

If you’re only going to add on in certain areas, then most people would just add the same eco-complete for uniformity sake. Some people say eco-complete “harms” bottom dwellers, because it’s “sharp.” The same amount of people also say that’s a myth. Cory filmed some substrate where some corydoras are native to and it looked a whole lot sharper and rougher than eco-complete. So I’m of the opinion that they’re just fine on it.

Personally I would add some aqua soil, because I’m ok with the look of “mismatched” substrate. Plus, if I add in enough plants, you barely notice what the substrate is anyway.

[Kalita]

Thanks for replies guys! I do plan on planting quite heavily so any mismatch probably won't be too noticeable. I may buy a some more Eco-complete to add to the right side and back of the tank. There is a window to the right and I think having a hill there would help block out excess light from the window (although I've never really had any issues from it). I'll transplant the scarlet temples to the left and have a more open swimming area there. I'll remove the fake rock in front of the sponge filter. I left in because it was from an established tank and I hoped it would help kick start the cycle. 
 

[Kalita]

Decided on an 8.8 lb bag for Fluval stratum. Will be adding some to the back right where I plan on putting some swords. Hoping it will help buffer pH down a bit. Right now it's sitting at 7.8. Tap water is ranges about 7.8-8.0 so would be great if I could lower it a bit. I've also ordered some more plants and plan to add RCS when tank has cycled and stabilized.  I think the colours will match well. I spent quite some time today picking out light purple gravel 🤪

[Brian]

Whatever you do, I am sure it will look great.   I have used eco and fluval brand and mixed with just regular river gravel.   I can tell you after one gravel vac they all look the same.    
thanks for sharing.    Look amazing 

[OceanTruth]

7 hours ago, Kalita said:

Decided on an 8.8 lb bag for Fluval stratum.

 

Good choice! I’m sure it will look great.

[Andy's Fish Den]

My go to substrate mix that I use in planted tanks is 75% eco-complete and 25% Fluval stratum. In a couple tanks, I have put some small pea gravel on top if I didn't want to dark color substrate over the entire tank. But, after a while, it kind of all gets mixed together, but still looks good. 

[Kalita]

1 hour ago, Andy's Fish Den said:

My go to substrate mix that I use in planted tanks is 75% eco-complete and 25% Fluval stratum.

I guess I have stumbled upon your magical mix, as it is what I'm going to end up with! 😄


My root tabs are arriving today too. I already have Easy Green but haven't been dosing much because it's such a new tank. Nitrites and nitrates (40-80 ppm) are already high, even after 25-30% water change yesterday. Ammonia is 0.25ppm. I'm still ghost feeding every 2-3 days. 

[Juanco]

I recently changed to sandblasting sand and I'm loving it, I had regular flourite before and I capped with the black sand in my 90g. My plants where not doing ok, anubias not looking good and my amazon swords were all bad, so I had to redo my tank. 

[Monkeypoint]

On 3/6/2021 at 3:30 PM, Daniel said:

I would likely go with Black Diamond Blasting Sand

Would this work for capping Fluval Stratum? I'm having the same considerations as the OP - I want to use Stratum for plants with sand for bottom dwellers but I'm not sure if the sand would fall through the Stratum.

[Dhruv]

On 3/8/2021 at 12:22 PM, Kalita said:

I guess I have stumbled upon your magical mix, as it is what I'm going to end up with! 😄


My root tabs are arriving today too. I already have Easy Green but haven't been dosing much because it's such a new tank. Nitrites and nitrates (40-80 ppm) are already high, even after 25-30% water change yesterday. Ammonia is 0.25ppm. I'm still ghost feeding every 2-3 days. 

How did that mix work out for you? I'm also thinking about doing it in my tank.