Flora Base vs Flourite

Moving along with the new tank. Thanks for input up to now. I saw "Flora Base" in my local pet store. I understand this is an alternative to Flourite. Seems to have a lot of benefits.

Anyone using this now or familiar with it?

Also, can a second layer of substrate go over this (i.e. play sand over the Flora Base)?

The advertisement for Flora Base indicates that it will help adjust pH, so it must be something more than a clay based substrate. It's also more expensive than Flourite, and that's probably why I've never used it. Flourite is great for live plants, but you need to use quite a bit of it. On the other hand, pure laterite requires only about an ounce per gallon and is more economical.

If you do not have an under gravel filter, you can use sand over a gravel or clay based substrate. The clay based substrates that I've used contain quite a bit of dust, and rinsing them has very little effect. They are, after all, compacted clay. To keep from rinsing away all the stuff, I started using the substrates right out of the container. Rinsed or unrinsed, they make the water cloudy. Using under gravel filtering, the cloudiness clears in anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. The clay might clog other types of filters, so if you have a new aquarium you may want to let the clay settle out before turning on the filter. As mentioned above, smaller quantities of laterite are effective, so there is less dust to worry about. I've used laterite in established aquariums, and while that dust is probably not good for the fish, small amounts do not seem to bother them short term or long term.

Welcome to the Forum!

Unfortunately I have no experience with any of the substrates at this time. But would love to hear what you think of yours as you work with it.

Thanks!

Thanks, John.

What about cutting Flourite with my leftover Eco Complete from the last tank? I have a good bit left after removing the main gravel and wondered if it is reusable.

That mixed with the Flourite would keep the cost of new substrate down, but I'm wondering if it would be effective.

Sure. It's OK to mix substrates. In fact, you can also mix in a little gravel, because you don't need 100 percent clay based substrate. If the Eco Complete is still wet, it probably still has some of the beneficial bacteria that help start the nitrogen cycling process. As an alternative, you can use a cup of gravel from an established aquarium.

This website has quite a bit more about the nitrogen cycle, so you may want to look in the blog section. Proper cycling will help get a new aquarium off to a good start.

I forgot to say welcome to our forum, so WELCOME!

Thanks.