Best ‘substrate’ for practicing scapes?

[bushaaayyy]

Recently acquired about 25kg of seiryu stone for my future scape. I plan to knock up a dojo/sandpit to practice my scapes in, but I’d like to be able to do it inside as it’s so cold out atm.

What’s a good material to use to replicate the substrate? Considered using sand but don’t want to make a mess spreading loads of sand grains around while I’m placing rocks in and out constantly.

Would like something with a larger ‘grain’ size that hopefully won’t stick to the rocks to much. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Zeus.]

Potting Grit can be picked up at any garden centre and is relatively cheap, plus you can reuse it on the garden

 

[bushaaayyy]

Potting Grit can be picked up at any garden centre and is relatively cheap, plus you can reuse it on the garden

Looks perfect, thanks for the tip!

 

[Kezzab]

Crushed pumice. Abou £30 For 25kg off amazon.

 

[bushaaayyy]

Crushed pumice. Abou £30 For 25kg off amazon.

Like the idea of this because I assume it would be lighter so easier to cart the dojo around. But a bit pricey for something I’m only going to get one use from

 

[Kezzab]

mmm, you can use it as a sub layer to build height in the aquarium itself too. And 25kg goes quite a long way. Personally i think it was worth it.

 

[Nick potts]

mmm, you can use it as a sub layer to build height in the aquarium itself too. And 25kg goes quite a long way. Personally i think it was worth it.

Yep, makes an excellent base layer if, good for water circulation, bacterial colonies, and I believe it has a good CEC so will hold and release nutrients.

 

[bushaaayyy]

use it as a sub layer to build height in the aquarium itself too

I hadn’t thought of that, and it’s a good point. Think I’ll look into getting some. Did you go for the blue branded Japanese stuff?