Professional Substrates

[maoripho3nix]

Hi, newbie here , kinda just getting into the aquascaping scene. Doing some extensive research before I go ahead and buy everything.

I have a question on substrates.

I guess most gravel, coloured or natural, sand etc falls under the name of substrate.

However after a lot of reading (and also youtubing), I've noticed a lot of overseas/professional aquascapers using specially formulated substrates for their aquaplant setup, which are created to use as a substrate but also very beneficial to the plants. They are not your typical fake looking gravel, or fluro coloured gravel etc. infact it can't be considered a gravel as its more like a compressed or dried soil. It looks natural, are formulated to keep the balance of pH and hardness, and do not dissolve into or cloud the water. Sometimes some of the soil-type substrates are used as a base, for healthy growth of the roots of plants, and are covered by a layer of gravel or sand.

Here are some examples of the substrates I'm talking about:

This is Tropica (Located in Denmark) AquaCare Plant Substrate

http://www.tropica.com/article.asp?type=news&id=682

This is NatureSoil by Oliver Knott (From Germany) you all probably know who he is, this is the best example I have seen.

http://www.oliver-knott.com/naturesoil-bodengrund-aquarien+M52087573ab0.html

This is Nature Aquarium aka Aqua Design Amano (Takashi Amano)

http://www.adana.co.jp/_e_products/substrate_index.php

Tropica, by the way, have a great website with great info and instructions, I personally have been using most of their guides etc to suck up info and know how.

If you didnt know, Oliver Knott has won numerous European Aquascaping contests, and is asked to setup planted aquariums worldwide. The website above also has great info and instructions. Tetra-Fish also sell a range.

Some videos containing the substrates in use:

After all my mumbo jumbo, my questions are.....

Can we get these products in NZ? (in terms of MAF screening soils/sands etc)

If so, where can I get some?

Ive been to nearly every pet store/supply store this side of Bay of Plenty (Tauranga Region), looked at most pet supply NZ websites.........and all I can find is Bucket-O-Gravel and the rest of the BS!! :evil:

Am I looking too far into professionally packed soil-type substrates?? Is there a DIY alternative like using soil from a clean good source of good ol NZ dirt??

If someone knows where to get product like this please do tell.

Thankyou

[SamH]

Another planted tank enthusiast! Welcome I enjoy those kinds of tanks too but limited budget is a killer What kind of tanks do you have? What kind are you looking for?

Can we get these products in NZ? (in terms of MAF screening soils/sands etc)

If so, where can I get some?

You can get flourite and some JBL stuff here, probably a few more I have missed though :oops: Personally I just use sand and my plants grow fine but I can see why you'd want to try special substrates after seeing the reviews and results. EDIT: You can get them at most good LFS such as Hollywood Fish Farm, perhaps ring around?

Am I looking too far into professionally packed soil-type substrates?? Is there a DIY alternative like using soil from a clean good source of good ol NZ dirt??

Do a Google search on DIY mineralized soil 8)

HTH

[Bilbo]

The stuff is crazy expensive here. The small bags I have seen are over $100 and will only have enough for a 2'er.

I have been reading a b it about the mineralized soil as well and it looks like a good option. Vermiculite from Bunnings might also be an option. I am planning my next tank now also.

[maoripho3nix]

Wow thanks for the prompt responses

At the moment I dont have a setup as such, still in the studying phase 8)

I know probably the best way to learn is from doing it myself, but I dont want to buy everything and just plant it to have it fail on me. Ive read up a lot about Aquascaping and find it interesting, enough to start as a hobby. I mean check this out.....how creative is this

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2009.cgi?&op=showcase&category=0&vol=0&id=87

Aquascaping enthusiasts have even adapted the use of Japanese technique of rock formations known as Iwagumi.

http://www.aquascapingworld.com/magazine/Magazine/Iwagumi-Style.html

So Im studying from the bottom of the tank up. :lol: I did have a friend in Australia who had a planted tank but he had more interest in the fish. Not that I dont, but I like the idea of a nice green, well planted tank with the fish as an extra, or possibly shrimp :lol: and obviously the fish would benefit from the plants.

Yep the budget is a killer for me too haha. So at the moment I'm starting with a Nano setup, see how I do with that over a few months, then invest in a larger setup.

So anyway back to the substrates, yes it was the results that got me thinking, how they not only benefit the plants but also the water chemistry. Both Tropica & Oliver Knott have done sampling and in return had results in healthier plants over longer periods of time, and also a balance in water chemistry.

But thank you for your comments and I will look further into it. If I can source these products at a reasonable price I will update. Otherwise its the kiwi DIY way for me

Thankyou

[phoenix44]

Don't DIY your substrate if this is your first attempt at a planted tank. use JBL aquabasis or flourite or even daltons propogating sand with JBL balls and you will get great results if you lighting is adequate and correct.

Nutrient in the soil isn't going to do the plants any good if they do not have enough light, or the appropriate light spectrum.

[Navarre]

HI,

It would help a lot if you put your local in your user bit.

easy to do and gives us an idea where you are based.

you can use anything you like as a substrate but what you use will govern to some extent what work you need to do to maintain the tank afterwards and in some sense what plants you would like to keep.

I have tried flourite in a tank and it is great.

I have also tried cheaper options as well and i see little diffenece in plant performance but there is a different amount of work per tank.

In my last two tanks (400l and 100l) I have used daltons aquatic mix about 1cm deep under a 2 cm deep layer of sand of VERY fine gravel. over this I have placed a 2 -3 cm layer of fine but corser than the last layer of gravel.

To my mind I dont really care what the colour scheame of the gravel is but I prefer the more natural ones and I look for gravel that promotes the types of plants I want to keep..ie acidic nuteral or alkaline.

In the 400l tank I use under gravel heating co2 and moderate lighting ( which I must update) in the other tank I use water based heating and moderate lighting.

I water change regularly on these tanks but I never disturb the gravel unless I really have to. And to be honest with adequate layering of substrate then there is no great need. and there is rarely any "cloudiness"

So whilst I think it is great you are reseaching the type of substrate and that this is essential another aproach might be to look at plant requiremnts and build your tank around that

hth

Nav

[SamH]

Aquascaping enthusiasts have even adapted the use of Japanese technique of rock formations known as Iwagumi.

http://www.aquascapingworld.com/magazine/Magazine/Iwagumi-Style.html

Yes, it's been around for a while now

[maoripho3nix]

thanks for all the comments

looking into the JBL products as they seem to be at most pet stores, went to the local pet store who had a "specials day:, and even join up to their fish club, and by doing so recieved a bag of goodies which included a JBL catalogue

thanks for your help, and yep im i newbie, i have now update my profile with location etc.

[SamH]

To my mind I dont really care what the colour scheame of the gravel is but I prefer the more natural ones and I look for gravel that promotes the types of plants I want to keep..ie acidic nuteral or alkaline.

Which ones are acidic?

[maoripho3nix]

A possible alternative

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42002&start=30

Hydroton Clay, similar to the professional substrates i talked of earlier.

Anyone use this product in Hydroponics? or used in a tank??