New 37g tank for School

[jweis]

PVAS is genersoulsy donating a 37g tank, stand, hood and filter to my boys' school. One of the teachers wants to have a tank with Mystery snails (which Rachel is genersouly donating), Amanos (I have some extra), and fancy guppies. I am also going to try and cycle the tank quickly by using some of my old gunky filter floss. She also wants to plant it with low tech plants.

What substrate should I put in the tank? This teacher has NEVER had an aquarium so I want something simple and not very expensive. I was thinking Flourite /baked clay. I don't like that it is light, but I do like that does not muck up the water if one moves plants around. What do the rest of you suggest?

I have some java fern and moss to get her started with plants. Does anyone else have some super easy plants that I could buy from them for this tank?

Also, anyone have experience with City of Frederick water?

EDIT: corrected substrate above to say Flourite

[turfboss]

Julie -

Jon Clark (CCA) lives in Frederick, MD - do not know if he is on city water or a well - will send him a PM and ask.

[150EH]

Julie my experience with AS is short but it seems ideal for low tech tanks, Flourite contains minimal nutrients and in my experience is much harder to work with and maintain. Also MTS is great but I don't know if she has the energy to get the kids involved but it would be a great learning experience and my first choice on a substrate if cost was an issue, but I would try to get some feedback as see if she/he is interested in building it from the substrate up.

[turfboss]

Julie - heard back from Jon Clark - he is on a well in the Frederick area so can't speak to city water - however - he says his water is Hard and comes out of the ground at Ph 7.2.

[jweis]

Julie - heard back from Jon Clark - he is on a well in the Frederick area so can't speak to city water - however - he says his water is Hard and comes out of the ground at Ph 7.2.

Thanks for checking George. I should probably just call Rick's Pets in Frederick. They'd probably know.

[jweis]

Julie my experience with AS is short but it seems ideal for low tech tanks, Flourite contains minimal nutrients and in my experience is much harder to work with and maintain. Also MTS is great but I don't know if she has the energy to get the kids involved but it would be a great learning experience and my first choice on a substrate if cost was an issue, but I would try to get some feedback as see if she/he is interested in building it from the substrate up.

I don't think the expense and the break in time for AquaSoil makes it a good choice. MTS is definitely out. She wanted to put the critters in the same day she put in the water. She is hoping to have it set up before school starts (Aug 27th).

I can get a 16lb of Fluval Stratum for $37.48 using Amazon Prime. Do you think that would be enough for a 37g?

[neturalist]

Ken's fish has 17.6lb Fluval Stratum for $30.70. http://www.kensfish.com/moreinfo/fluval ... ratum.html

[jweis]

Ken's fish has 17.6lb Fluval Stratum for $30.70. http://www.kensfish.com/moreinfo/fluval ... ratum.html

They must have just sold out. They don't have it listed anymore.

[neturalist]

8.8lb * 2 = $30.70.

[jweis]

8.8lb * 2 = $30.70.

Funny.

Amazon Prime offers free shipping, so that might be a better deal overall.