substrate in a 12g eclipse planted shrimp tank

[bsmith782]

im thinking about tearing down what i have so i can switch to a shrimp only setup.

what would be the best substrate for a planted shrimp tank. i would prefer a dark sub. thinking eco-complete or tahitian moon sand.

B

[jjkolodz]

It probably depends on what type of shrimp you are planning on keeping. I use ecocomplete in all of my tanks... but I know some people like to use ADA soil for CRS and the like... because of it's buffering capacity etc.
Only downfall to that is that ADA soil is hard to find in the states. I found it once at an Asian Fish Store.
Hope this helps

[bsmith782]

i plan on keeping rcs's.

maybe better yet, what subs. should i avoid?

B

[Fish Newb]

i plan on keeping rcs's.

maybe better yet, what subs. should i avoid?

B

Avoid LARGE gravel, and clown puke colors. Also avoid substrates that buffer your Ph UP if you don't have really really soft water out of the tap, because they will mess with you...

I would suggest something that brings the ph down some or is nuteral as long as your tap water is in the middle.

ADA AS is redily available in the US. ADG, and Aquaforest carry it and ship it, and there are many other stores slowly starting to carry it. Florabase is also an alternative to ADA AS, it is VERY similar and at least for me, locally sold;) .

If you need links to ADA AS let me know.

-Andrew

[bsmith782]

my 3 tanks usually run about 7-7.2 (Ph) 3dkh 11gh.

right now i have some black and blue gravel roughly between 1/2 of pea size (if that helps).

i would appreciate those links btw.

B

[peepa]

I use both ADA (Amazonia) and Eco-Complete.
They both are great. ADA takes sometime to clear. Eco-complete is pretty much ready out of the bag (wet). My plants and shrimp are doing very well with both. Here is a pic of my Eco.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/bigbarlo/DSCN6698.jpg


No pics of the ADA right now. :D

[Fish Newb]

my 3 tanks usually run about 7-7.2 (Ph) 3dkh 11gh.

right now i have some black and blue gravel roughly between 1/2 of pea size (if that helps).

i would appreciate those links btw.

B


Your tanks are fine, most people would suggest getting rid of your "clown puke" gravel though and going with something nicer looking.

ADG http://www.adgshop.com/SearchResults.asp
http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?main_page=afa_product&cPath=12&state=

I personally would recomend call Jeff and Mike at ADG but that's me. I would normally PM you the links, but can't yet.

And Peepa, thats not Eco Complete, thats a FAT bumblebee shrimp!

-Andrew

[bsmith782]

most people would suggest getting rid of your "clown puke" gravel though and going with something nicer looking.


I personally would recomend call Jeff and Mike at ADG but that's me. I would normally PM you the links, but can't yet.

And Peepa, thats not Eco Complete, thats a FAT bumblebee shrimp!

-Andrew

i only have the blue and black gravel in the 12 im planning on doing my shrinp in.

B

[bsmith782]

whats the diff. between aquasoil and aquasoil II? i guess i dont need the powder just the regular stuff. how much for a 12g tank? 3 litres should do it?

B

[shrink9]

Thank you, Andrew, for the link. I just placed an order and bookmarked the link. I appreciate it.

Allen

[absinthe_fi]

whats the diff. between aquasoil and aquasoil II? i guess i dont need the powder just the regular stuff. how much for a 12g tank? 3 litres should do it?

B

apparently people have been having problems with the first aquasoil due to the water being yellowish. the new aquasoil 2 doesn't turn your water yellow.

i use aquasoil in all my tanks (regular and powder for the shrimp tanks). i haven't had a problem at all with cloudy or yellowish water to be honest...