ideal substrate?

[d0t]

What can i use for my substrate system?
Just normal gravel or must it be special stuff?
And if there are special stuff. could you all give me an estimated price of it?
I plan to do a low or no C02 setup, if that makes any difference..

[|squee|]

Don't do low CO2, it's either high CO2 or non-CO2

You can use anything you want. You can buy Lapis sand for your gravel, or you can buy expensive stuff like Dennerle's gravel or ADA Aquasoil. I checked today, Aquasoil is selling at $35 per bag. Damn freaking low.

[genes]

ADA aquasoil would be a good choice if you have the cash to spare. There is some promotion going on currently with ADA products i believe.

Substrate colour looks very natural too with different shades of brown. Unlike lapis that comes with mixture of colours. With aquasoil, you don't need to get base fertilizers although its advisable to use powersand with aquasoil.

http://www.ada-eu.com/articoli.asp?id_f=SUBSY

[d0t]

Don't do low CO2, it's either high CO2 or non-CO2

You can use anything you want. You can buy Lapis sand for your gravel, or you can buy expensive stuff like Dennerle's gravel or ADA Aquasoil. I checked today, Aquasoil is selling at $35 per bag. Damn freaking low.

So am i right in saying htis lapis sand, is just sand(which has absolutely no nutrients or stuff in it). While ada Aquasoil is actually like soil( which has nutritents and minerals in it)

If this is the case, why use lapis sand in the first place?

[genes]

Yes. Aquasoil is treated with minerals. Biggest difference with lapis and Aquasoil - Price. Especially if you have a large tank. Setting up cost differs significantly.

[d0t]

how much is lapis? and is it available at most shops? bag size? price? colour?

[|squee|]

Lapis is $16 if I'm not wrong. Don't quote me.

It should be available at most shops. About the same amount as ADA Aquasoil if not more. Can't find a pic to show you the colour.

[celticfish]

squee,
ADA local distributor is having a 20% sale for this month. hence the low price.

lapis i believe is $20 to $22 for each 20 kg bag.

[evolim83]

So am i right in saying htis lapis sand, is just sand(which has absolutely no nutrients or stuff in it). While ada Aquasoil is actually like soil( which has nutritents and minerals in it)

If this is the case, why use lapis sand in the first place?

Like bro Genes pointed out, prices of the two are just worlds apart!
$34 for 9kg of AquaSoil and $18 for 20kg of Lapis!

[d0t]

Like bro Genes pointed out, prices of the two are just worlds apart!
$34 for 9kg of AquaSoil and $18 for 20kg of Lapis!

does the lapis brand have various colours?

[|squee|]

does the lapis brand have various colours?

It's a multi-coloured sand, here's a crude quickly taken picture:

ADA Aquasoil can be found at all good planted LFSes.

[eddyq]

We use lapis sand cos it much cheaper about $18 per 20kg and you'll need base fert.This works for big tank.

Use ADA Aquasoil for small tank and non CO2 set-up would be ideal.

[d0t]

Thanks squee for the pic. really helps!.

Would the ada aquasoil (9l) be enough for a 2 ft tank.. or owuld i need 2 bags

[|squee|]

You're welcome

1 bag is enough, I even had excess

For Lapis, I only needed half the bag.