Advice needed on some base set up

**coolbucks** · 4th Jun 2006, 15:33

Hi All,

Would like expert to give me some advice on the following set up of the base and pros, cons and why... going for an low maintain tank.. Tank size 6ft x 2ft x 2ft

First set up for base - using lapis gravel with dennerle depoit mix

Second set up - using only onxy sand (how many packs needed)

Third set up - using Aquasoil Amazonia

**|squee|** · 4th Jun 2006, 19:45

Frankly it's up to you, but if I had to choose I'd use Aquasoil since it's a nice generic colour. Onxy sand looks too black to me.

**coolbucks** · 4th Jun 2006, 23:11

aquasoil need any gravel to be on top,expensive n how long will it last in term of nutrients within the soil??

**|squee|** · 4th Jun 2006, 23:14

No, it's not ideal to put any gravel on top. It's averagely priced, but for your 6ft you're going to spend a bomb. It will last as long as you don't do rescaping or frequently mess up the substrate.

**grey_fox** · 4th Jun 2006, 23:25

All I know is that for Onyx sand and your 6 footer, roughly you'll need at least 12-15 packets

For my 5 footer, I am using 6 pots of Sera Flowderpot + 11 packets (10 kilograms each) of lapis gravel.

**michael lai** · 4th Jun 2006, 23:55

Hi coolbucks,
I'd say go for the Lapis but with JBL fert.
Judging from your question, I'll say you never wash Onyx before. You can check with Joe, and it is grey in colour.
My preference is ADA but that is mine preference.

I use Dennerle's products, great stuff but the money is better spent elsewhere here. The depont mix will cost more than the ADA basing on manufacturer's proportions. Not forgetting the liquid ferts...but if money is not a problem, why not? and top with Dennerle quartz too

My 2 cents

**grey_fox** · 5th Jun 2006, 00:06

michael speaks from first hand experience with his Dennerle's base.

**PeterGwee** · 5th Jun 2006, 00:10

Stick to one form of substrate and not combo sets would look better imo. Uprooting tend to be nasty with JBL base fertilizers with lapis gravel. I would personally go with ADA Aquasoil or Seachem Onyx sand.

Regards
Peter Gwee

**AquaObsession** · 5th Jun 2006, 00:10

my preference also go for ada aquasoil. and do not mix it with other stuff okie, not even powersand.

But you will get excellent results with lapis+JBL base fert. This is really really good, even if you happen to mix them during rescape etc. also, it is easier to plant with lapis sand compared to the aquasoil. Get the 22kgs bags from NA (quite cheap there), and for a six feet, i guess you will need about 6 bags. Ask the person at NA.
Edited after peter gwee replied : yeps for esthetic, if fert got mixed, maybe not be so nice...but i had no algae even when fert is shown on top.

About onxy, not sure since i never use before.

so it depends on color preference, and budget.

Rough comparison in price : Aquasoil vs Lapis+JBL
Aquasoil = 6*40 = 240+
Lapis + JBL = 6*20+4*25 = 220-

**evolim83** · 5th Jun 2006, 00:20

Originally Posted by michael lai

Judging from your question, I'll say you never wash Onyx before.

WASHING ONYX!!!!!!

**michael lai** · 5th Jun 2006, 00:21

Originally Posted by grey_fox

michael speaks from first hand experience with his Dennerle's base.

Thanks Grey_fox and a much poorer one at that.

But seriously, I'm using all three now and if you are like me, very itchy fingers go for Lapis. Use the money saved to buy ADA lily pipe or bubble counter. A 6 footer show piece

PS: If budget is not a problem, you might want to consider Dennerle quartz. My favorite besides ADA.

**coolbucks** · 5th Jun 2006, 00:53

First of all, i would like to thanks everyone for giving your respective advices...

Micheal lai,I never used before oxny sand but it take a lot of times to wash it... saw one of the hobbist here setting it up using it..I have tried before the depot mix with lapis...

Grey fox... wow 12-15 ptks cost a lot man... 12*45=540...

Aquaobsession, different of $20 to 80...
Aquasoil = 6*40 = 240+
Lapis + JBL = 6*20+4*25 = 220-

If i am using back the lapis gravel that i have around 30 kg for my previous 3ft tank..tat i only need to purchase another 90 kg that cost me 90 +100(JBL)=190+..

If i using lapis with depot mix then i need to purchase 90kg of lapis and 2 big tub of depot mix =160+90 = 250+..

Which one is good, i am very confuse now..

**grey_fox** · 5th Jun 2006, 01:00

Originally Posted by michael lai

Thanks Grey_fox and a much poorer one at that.

But seriously, I'm using all three now and if you are like me, very itchy fingers go for Lapis. Use the money saved to buy ADA lily pipe or bubble counter. A 6 footer show piece

PS: If budget is not a problem, you might want to consider Dennerle quartz. My favorite besides ADA.

Hehe, can't wait to see you six footer man..!!

**grey_fox** · 5th Jun 2006, 01:03

If you decide to use Onyx sand, yup that's what you'll need to probably spend on for a six footer. Personally, I would just go for base fert + lapis.

It'll boil down to personal preference if you ask me. "To each, his own" as the saying goes.

More or less, now that you have done the math for your base, the next step would be to seriously consider which sort of base you'll want to invest in.

Originally Posted by coolbucks

First of all, i would like to thanks everyone for giving your respective advices...

Micheal lai,I never used before oxny sand but it take a lot of times to wash it... saw one of the hobbist here setting it up using it..I have tried before the depot mix with lapis...

Grey fox... wow 12-15 ptks cost a lot man... 12*45=540...

Aquaobsession, different of $20 to 80...
Aquasoil = 6*40 = 240+
Lapis + JBL = 6*20+4*25 = 220-

If i am using back the lapis gravel that i have around 30 kg for my previous 3ft tank..tat i only need to purchase another 90 kg that cost me 90 +100(JBL)=190+..

If i using lapis with depot mix then i need to purchase 90kg of lapis and 2 big tub of depot mix =160+90 = 250+..

Which one is good, i am very confuse now..

**coolbucks** · 5th Jun 2006, 01:11

Hi grey fox,

I agreeded with u.. is jus the cost of the base set up... as what all hobbist mentioned... soil and gravel is jus part of it.. need to contribute is the liquid fert and lighting...if invest in lapis and jbj base fert and with EL dosing way with an gd lighting sys..the plants will be growing very well,right??? can i mix the depont mix with jbj fert? I am awared that peter gwee mentioned not to be mix...

**michael lai** · 5th Jun 2006, 01:15

Just use back your lapis and top up the rest. Go for JBL and use the extra money to buy dennerle liquid fert.

**michael lai** · 5th Jun 2006, 01:18

Originally Posted by coolbucks

Hi grey fox,

I agreeded with u.. is jus the cost of the base set up... as what all hobbist mentioned... soil and gravel is jus part of it.. need to contribute is the liquid fert and lighting...if invest in lapis and jbj base fert and with EL dosing way with an gd lighting sys..the plants will be growing very well,right??? can i mix the depont mix with jbj fert? I am awared that peter gwee mentioned not to be mix...

Dear coolbucks I have tried that( depont mix with JBL ) and there was no significant difference with using solely JBL fert in the same tank.

**grey_fox** · 5th Jun 2006, 01:23

As Michael mentioned, re-use your lapis and top that up instead. Get the JBJ base fert and top that up with lapis and you'll get a good enough base-fert IMO.

I'm using Sera Flowderpot and so far, so good (coupled with E.I, etc) and what ever plants I try to grow, has survived and flourished.

**coolbucks** · 5th Jun 2006, 01:25

Hi Micheal lai,

can i use back the lapis with depont mix together with new lapis and jbj fert? As my new tank is coming and i have not yet tear it dwn the 3ft tank yet and understand that if i transfer the current one into new tank will speed up the bacterias and mature the tank fast..

I have nvr tried before the dennerle liquid fert... which one to buy is the best??

**coolbucks** · 5th Jun 2006, 02:02

hi grey fox,

I saw your set up n your plants... impressive...

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