3M colorquartz and substrate choices

[Aaron]

I'd be wary of adding peat underneath. If you do use only a VERY small amount. Just a dusting that still allows you to see through the bottom glass of the tank.

You'll want to rinse the SMS Charcoal too as it's quite dusty. The density issue is not as bad over time since the SMS is porous it will eventually take on water.

The regular Flourite is a larger grain size than the SMS for sure. The SMS would settle to the bottom eventually. I recommended the Flourite Black because the two are similar in color and grain size. However, you don't need to use teh Flourite as Cristy mentioned.

One other note about SMS. It will buffer your water at first to be quite acidic. After a few water changes the buffering is much less dramatic akin to using Aquasoil Amazonia. Don't be alarmed about it. In my experience, most of the plants and fish we are keeping will favor those softer water conditions anyhow.

[ingg]

Quite abit is an understatement. It dropped the PH off the charts in every tank I ever added it to for a coupla months. Prepare the baking soda.

It never did seem to affect plants or livestock, though, it just freaked me out, so I buffered the water with baking soda.

[neilanh]

Glad you guys warned me, I'd have been in a huge panic!

Maybe I'll skip the peat and just go straight with it and see how it does.

Thanks guys!

[Cristy Keister]

I used the slightest dusting of peat - probably not enough to be significant. Also, way too many Flourish tabs.