Substrate confusion

[Iwagumi_Scaper]

Hi all,

In my new tank I am using JBL Volcano Mineral as a base layer and to help me bank the substrate towards the back of the tank, covered with ADA Aquasoil Amazonia powder type.

I am aware there are calculators for amount of substrate in litres, but if I am using volcano mineral as a base layer, what would be a good amount to use in a 25L tank? and how much aquasoil? The dimensions are approximately 45x25x22.5 LxWxH (25L).

Many thanks,

Chris

 

[alto]

Tank surface area is 45 x 25 x height of aquasoil eg, 4cm ~4.5 litres ie buy 2 x 3litre bags, return one if not used
To use only one bag, your layer of powder would need to be less than 2.7cm thick, while you might manage this, it would mean no banking of aquasoil anywhere
As the VM is quite coarse, you can expect the Amazonia Powder to gradually seep into the lower layer (to some degree)

Obviously same calculation applies to Volcano Mineral - depending on your planned scape, you could use just 1 x 3litre bag of this

 

[Iwagumi_Scaper]

Tank surface area is 45 x 25 x height of aquasoil eg, 4cm ~4.5 litres ie buy 2 x 3litre bags, return one if not used
To use only one bag, your layer of powder would need to be less than 2.7cm thick, while you might manage this, it would mean no banking of aquasoil anywhere
As the VM is quite coarse, you can expect the Amazonia Powder to gradually seep into the lower layer (to some degree)

Obviously same calculation applies to Volcano Mineral - depending on your planned scape, you could use just 1 x 3litre bag of this

Thanks for the reply Alto,

Is 4-5cm common for total substrate depth? I might opt for a flat substrate as this is my first try at scaping, so maybe 1cm VM and 3-4cm of Aquasoil.

Chris

 

[alto]

Most tanks diplay "better" with a sloped substrate - this suggests depth of field to the human eye (& is something our eye "looks" for)

Assuming you've a rimless tank, you might try 2-3cm at front edge, gradually sloping up to 6-8 cm at back of tank

At the front edge, I'd only have ADA soil
Elsewhere, an underlay of Volcano M would work well - I prefer to have this start a couple cm from the glass edges - except at the back etc where you won't be able to see the 2 substrate edges anyway

Note you can also just use ADA soil in this tank - if you think you'll want to alter the scape a fair bit, it's easier to do this when using only a single type of substrate (no concerns over mixing or the "wrong" substrate showing on the surface ... unless you like the "Look" 😀

If you have no planted tank experience, you might find Tropica Soil or ADA Amazonia Light "easier" - as these are both much less "enriched" than Amazonia (expect quite a bit of ammonia release, note ADA methodology re daily water changes (until ammonia levels drop) & "stepped" water column fertilizer program)

Note that gravity/current will tend to "flatten" soil slopes, hence use of rock, wood etc to "hold" the slope
Once plants have grown in, they will also tend to limit substrate drift - especially thick carpeting plants

Planting densely from the start is one of the professional "tricks" for limiting algae (in addition to daily attention/maintenance)

 

[Iwagumi_Scaper]

Hi Alto,

The tank is not rimless, but I'll probably give this a try anyway and follow what you've mentioned with the volcano mineral. I couldn't find any amazonia light anywhere so I've got some regular Amazonia on the way. I don't plan to add any ferts on top of what the soil already contains as I just can't afford it right now.

In regards to gravity - I'm using dragon stones to make an Iwagumi set up and I've also ordered some substrate supports which I might make use of if I can fit them in, just to reinforce the substrate in parts of the slope although I expect the rocks will do this as it's such a small tank.

Thanks for the info 🙂

 

[alto]

I find with substrate supports they always end up just where I want to plant or the soil shifts & I can see an Edge & that drives me mad 😱

If tank has a bottom rim, you want to be able to see a bit of soil above the rim - so check that measure when determining soil amounts

It helps to plant "dry" or with just damp soil - much better control than if tank or soil is flooded

Depending upon plant choice, you can also "dry start" the tank - allowing fewer plants to be purchased initially & carpet is already rooted into soil holding it against the Slide 🙂