I think I've made a bad mistake

[Communitytank]

I have used a total of 5 bags of JBL Manado bags of substrate. Please could u all let me know if I have made a bad mistake or not? Sorry it may seem to be a stupid question.

Also can you advise me on water changes etc as this seems to pick up so easy

 

[Iain Sutherland]

You can grow plants in Manado without issue but the problem with it ,like you have mentioned ,is that it's super light.
Gravel vac'ing is a non starter but as long as your gentle with maintenance you should be fine.
If it bothers you then topping it with some unipac gravel would be an option.

 

[Jaap]

You can grow plants in Manado without issue but the problem with it ,like you have mentioned ,is that it's super light.
Gravel vac'ing is a non starter but as long as your gentle with maintenance you should be fine.
If it bothers you then topping it with some unipac gravel would be an option.

What do you use in your tanks?

 

[Communitytank]

Thanks for your replies. I really thought that tomorrow I would have to clear it out and replace it with gravel.

Much appreciated for your replies

 

[Iain Sutherland]

What do you use in your tanks?

used a few different, current tank is unipac fiji with tropica bottom but i think its tough to beat ADA amazonia if you want a carpet.

 

[Communitytank]

Sorry to be a pain another question. Does anybody know how long the
nutrients last for that they say it stores

 

[Iain Sutherland]

Don't think monado has much in it but does have good CEC ( cation exchange capacity) so as long as you fert you water the substrate will hold on to it for the plant roots to use.

 

[tim]

As long as your adding nutrients it will store them, manado doesn't contain any so you should dose a comprehensive fert containing macro and micro elements.