Capping Substrate for Larger Aquarium

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:12 am

I'm thinking of I setting up another tank. I really would like a 125 but it will probably be a 75. I have been reading the mineralized soil post and I want to try that approach.

To cap it?, the 3M T grade that holds slope really well sounds good, but I am also thinking about the accent stone Dave used in his 180, which he says is about the same size as fluorite. Both are dark substrates. Both are inert. Comments?

When planting in a mineralized substrate, do you plant down to the mineralized soil? or just deep enough to anchor the stems or whatever, and just wait for the roots to grow down into it? Cause if you are planting into a slope, that could be some awful deep planting. And smaller plants, forgetaboutit.

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:33 am

I used some of both. I really wanted something pretty small to cap it initially, so the stuff wasn't constantly pulling through as easily if I moved stuff - then I put athing layer of the accent stone on top of that just because I like the larger grain size to be visible.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:14 am

I've used both now and I think I prefer the T-grade sand just a little bit over the accent stone. I say that only because the sand is slightly easier to plant in. Aesthetically, they are both pleasing and functionally they both work well aside from that one small difference.

mab · Post by **mab** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:05 am

3M discontinued production of the Accent Stone so if you find some grab it. I'm working with my 3M rep to see if any East Coast Wholesalers might have some.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:17 am

mab wrote:3M discontinued production of the Accent Stone so if you find some grab it. I'm working with my 3M rep to see if any East Coast Wholesalers might have some.

RAM Resinous Flooring & Quartz Supply, Inc. 888-264-1700
812 West Patapsco Avenue, Ste. M
Baltimore MD 21230

They have 40+ bags of it in stock at about $25.00 / bag. I believe they only discontinued the production of the black color, not the whole line of accent stone.

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:22 am

To hop into this thread with a few questions if I may.

How long does the mineralized soil last before it needs root tabs or similar?

Would a cap that has a good Cation exchange be better then one that is inert?(i.e. SMS instead of Colorquartz)

How would a mineralized substrate do in a tank that has no Co2? Would it be too rich or just an algae farm?

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:31 am

I know it lasts a long time, years, but how many I don't know.

Good question about the CEC of the capping substrate. Do I want a cap like SMS that can absorb nutrients or one that is inert?

halak · Post by **halak** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:54 am

Answer to Jeff's question 3: I have mineralized soil and no CO2 in my 125, and I have never had an algae problem in that tank (not even green water). The plants have been happy there for over 2 years now. On the other hand, the first time I set up a tank with mineralized soil and with CO2 I had green water for many many weeks until a UV sterilizer put an end to it.

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:30 pm

Viktor, what kind of substrate did you cap off the mineralized soil with?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:40 pm

Sean had tanks running for several years with no CO2 and healthy plant growth. There should never be a need for plant tabs or the like.

Using SMS as a cap could work well, but more so for its buffering capacity. The softer water would tend to grow most plants better. I may try this in a future setup.

Capping Substrate for Larger Aquarium

Capping Substrate for Larger Aquarium

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