Hi everyone, I’m upgrading my tank and want to try a planted tank and I’m looking for a cheap black substrate, black diamond blasting sand would be perfect but they don’t seem to sell it over here.. also would I be able to cap flourite black sand with normal sand? Or should I just do full normal sand? I will be adding root tabs, thanks
-
You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up
Substrates
- Thread starter Lewissss
- Start date
A little disappointed myself you can't get the blasting sand here but you can get good value different coloured sands from B&Q You could buy eco complete Black it's a plant substrate supposed to be good haven't used it myself though, you wouldn't need to cap it either but I suppose you could if you wanted to, I use fluval substrate in my planted tank
pat1cp
Member
I'm not very experienced at planted aquariums, but I found eco complete to be a pain to plant into. It has a fine gravel texture to it.
Again, In my limited experience, the aquasoils make the planting job far easier. And there's not much difference in price as I recall.
As for preventing the substrate rising through the sand, you could use these
Amazon product ASIN B07PWDNX23
Again, In my limited experience, the aquasoils make the planting job far easier. And there's not much difference in price as I recall.
As for preventing the substrate rising through the sand, you could use these
Amazon product ASIN B07PWDNX23
ScareCrow
Member
For black "sand" (grain size less than 1mm) the only source I managed to find was All pond solutions 5kg bags. At £10 ago it seems pretty expensive (I remember when it was half that price and it wasn't that long ago) but looking round, larger grain sizes seem to be the same price but in bigger quantities. It's free postage and I ended up needing more when I upgrade my tank so that was a bonus. Also probably prevented the postman getting a huernia.
I've not looked into it much but I think that the APS black sand above is just iron silicate same as blasting sand. It's certainly magnetic as I accidentally dropped a magnet on to it.
Under the sand I use a mix of leaf mould, cat litter and miracle gro slow release pellets all held in the fruit bags you can get from super markets. I think they're 50p for 2.
I've not looked into it much but I think that the APS black sand above is just iron silicate same as blasting sand. It's certainly magnetic as I accidentally dropped a magnet on to it.
Under the sand I use a mix of leaf mould, cat litter and miracle gro slow release pellets all held in the fruit bags you can get from super markets. I think they're 50p for 2.
Would the roots be able to get through them bags though? Do I need aqua soil or would root tabs suffice?
pat1cp
Member
Unipac Coloured Black Sand 20kg - Aquarium Sand
would this be ok for planting do you think? Do you think I need aqua soil underneath or do you think root tabs will be enough? I’m not looking to get overly difficult plants
ScareCrow
Member
That black sand should be fine. Depends on what fish you want. Things that like to sift substrate won't be able to as it's too coarse.
I've not used aquasoil myself so can't comment on the product but if you add some sort of nutrient rich substrate, it's there should you need it. If you don't add it, you won't be doomed, you can still grow plants but you can't really add it after. As long as you dose the water column with ferts you should be fine but might be better to get an idea of the plants you want, then you can tailor the setup more. I started out my current tank thinking I'd only keep epiphytes but still put my leaf mould mix under the sand, just in case. Now I have loads of crypts, so I'm glad I added the leaf mould.
Yeah I know what you mean, maybe I should, how do you make your leaf mold mix? Do I mix it with soil? Just a bit worried about it going above my sand and making a mess
ScareCrow
Member
There's a good write-up the tutorial section about using soil substrate. As you say, there is a risk of it making a mess if you don't cap it well enough. Some just put sand/gravel over the top and hope for the best, which is ok until you or the inhabitants disturb the substrate. In the tutorial Tim covers the soil with green mesh. I did the same with the drainage layer in my crested gecko viv but eventually the green mesh made its way to the surface. So I prefer to put the soil in a mesh bag, that way it can't escape.
The leaf mould I get from my local park. You want broadleaf (oak/beech etc if you're going to collect it yourself) I then sieve out anything larger than 5mm. Mix 50:50 with Tesco cat litter and add some miraclegro slow release pellets. One thing to note is the cat litter I use is quite old and Tesco have apparently changed the product. This is the most recent thread about using it as far as I know.
sparkyweasel
Member
- Joined
- 30 Jun 2011
- Messages
- 2,865
You can get blasting sand if you really want it, but it's very abrasive, that's what it's for. I wouldn't use it in a tank that I might want to stock with barbs, catfish, loaches or cichlids, and for me that's any tank. 
Sandblasting
Sandblasting
ScareCrow
Member
For me the grain size was too large although I believe you can get different grades of blasting sand. Also unless you can pick some up locally to avoid postage, I couldn't find it at a price that beat "proper" aquarium grade substrate (probably repackaged blasting sand in my opinion).You can get blasting sand if you really want it, but it's very abrasive, that's what it's for. I wouldn't use it in a tank that I might want to stock with barbs, catfish, loaches or cichlids, and for me that's any tank.
Sandblasting
