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Just starting out, help choosing substrate

storm

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Hi

I'm just starting out in the hobby and have purchased an open top 80l aquarium that is 45cm wide (similar to dennerle scapers tank)

I plan on keeping shrimp and plants only and wanted some suggestions on substrate that would be suitable and how much of it I would need.

Thanks in advance!
 
/tropica.com/en/plant-care/aquarium-soil/aquarium-soil-powder/']Tropica soil powder[/URL]> is suitable for a planted aquarium and shrimp. Do not confuse the powder version with the standard version, which has a larger grain size. Smaller grain works much better in a small tank.

A 9 liter bag will give you ~5 cm of substrate in this tank.
Thanks for your reply. do I then put gravel over the top of it?

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Thanks for your reply. do I then put gravel over the top of it?
I would not put gravel in the areas that are going to be planted, but aquasoil only. If you want to have some gravel visible on unplanted areas then you can put in on top of the soil. Just make sure the gravel has a larger grain than the aquasoil underneath, otherwise <it will go wrong>.

Aquasoils release ammonia for the first weeks. So you need frequent (daily) water changes right after setting up the tank, or to use a "<dark start>" method, also <discussed here> (I would strongly suggest the latter).
 
I would not put gravel in the areas that are going to be planted, but aquasoil only. If you want to have some gravel visible on unplanted areas then you can put in on top of the soil. Just make sure the gravel has a larger grain than the aquasoil underneath, otherwise /www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/in-the-market-for-new-substrate-in-an-existing-tank.38615/#post-418751']it will go wrong[/URL]>.

Aquasoils release ammonia for the first weeks. So you need frequent (daily) water changes right after setting up the tank, or to use a "/www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HfnsCSIpfo']dark start[/URL]>" method, also /www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/dark-start.66044/']discussed here[/URL]> (I would strongly suggest the latter).
Thank you for your reply. this may sound like a silly question but do I still need plant substrate if the plants in my tank are not directly planted in the substrate?

most will be on bogwood etc

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Thank you for your reply. this may sound like a silly question but do I still need plant substrate if the plants in my tank are not directly planted in the substrate?

most will be on bogwood etc
If you are planning for ephyphyte plants, mosses, etc. on wood then you do not need aquasoil. I would then use inert gravel or sand as substrate. You can also use a layer of crushed lava rock in the bottom if you want to slope the substrate.
 
I'd suggest the adventure of a mix of John Innes and a little clay, maybe with some leaf mulch. There are threads here with various recipes. I'd then cover that with aqua sand. This is just a suggestion, but personally I;ve never enjoyed the appearance of small black grainy stuff. Sand is easy to plant in and clean, and corys love it. If you put soil in then you'd be ready if you do decide to plant more than on the wood. I started with a fluval substrate under sand, but I prefer the more natural soil mix. Plants and wood look great against sand. Anyway, good luck!
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll take a look and see what fits the setup best

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Most soils also affect water parameters. Ive found 50% peat compost closest to aquasoils. Topsoil gave me a high Kh. AlecF might be able to tell you what he got with John Innes. Be interesting to know.
 
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