Substrate heat

[JayDBaltimore]

First off hi. I live in Baltimore. Had aquariums with plants for a long time on a small scale. I convinced the wife to go bigger. So I have a new 65 Gal. It is a couple of weeks old and breaking in. I read a lot but not enough. I have Flourite under small gravel as a substrate. Just a couple of plants with more on the way. A school of itty bitty green neons (1 doz). I did not put in substrate heating. Should I go through the trouble of lowering the water level way down and put in the heating by pushing the wire under the substrate? Start over YECH? I rinsed the heck out of the substrate and did not get any murky water when I planted the half dozen first plants, a crypto or two and anubias. Or should I just punt and wait a couple of years?

[krisw]

Welcome Jay! As far as I know, most folks do not bother with substrate heating any longer, as it doesn't seem to make a ton of difference. Otherwise, it sounds like you have a good setup. You don't have to cover Flourite with gravel, as it can stand on it's own, but I assume you did this for aesthetics?

Beyond this, I'd say, keep adding plants. The more plants, the faster the cycle, and the sooner the tank will mature.

[JayDBaltimore]

Yea, aesthetics. Actually I forgot to buy a clue when I went to Aquarium depot. And I didn't find you local folks. The flourite and gravel look good together and will mix I am sure over time. My little frog will mix it all up. Yes, I have a frog. I can actually call him and he will come eat black worms from my fingers. I figure he would chow down on shrimp

And thanks for letting me off the heating hook

[Aaron]

Welcome to the club Jay.

I agree with Kris. I don't know of anyone in the entire club that is using substrate heating. Heating the tank should be enough I don't even bother to do that in the warmer months.

As Kris said you'll want to get a ton more plants in there to keep algae at bay and to help the tank cycle faster.

[Ltrepeter2000]

I use it in my 65 tall.....it came with the tank and I left it in. It works suprisingly well in that tank as I think it helps with root growth but I wouldnt say that its a necessity or does anything all that special....it would be a huge PITA to insert it now after the tank is set up.

[DelawareJim]

Welcome aboard Jay.

Substrate heating was all the rage about 20 years ago during the Dupla fad. Some used it with great results, others said it was a waste of money. The theory makes a certain amount of sense, but I don't think it is worth the hassle.

As a former Dupla devote, today I would say don't bother. You can get as good results with the fluorite, CO2 fertilization, root fertilization, and water column dosing.

Cheers.
Jim

[Ltrepeter2000]

Absolutely agree