Advertisements
Aquatic Avenue Banner Tropica Shop Banner Fishy Business Banner
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: How thick should the GEX soil be?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Hougang Singapore
    Posts
    356
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    10
    Country
    Singapore

    How thick should the GEX soil be?

    Advertisements
    Fresh n Marine aQuarium Banner

    Advertise here

    Advertise here
    Hi, I think I am asking this question as I am slightly more experience in keeping marine fishes. For marine fishes, we have this thing called the "Deep Sand Bed"or DSB for short. It is just a layer of sand but about 5"or 6" deep. The thickness is to allow for the bacteria to survive in as the water is slowly passed over and through the DSB.

    My question is that for just keeping shrimps in a tank, how thin can the GEX soil be, is just 1cm sufficient. If we are only having moss or water plants that are tied to driftwood, the substrate need not be so deep as the roots of the plants will not go into the soil.

    In this way we can save some cost on the GEX Soil or ADA soil, which ever brand we use.

    so how thin can we go? Anyone care to comment on this? Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Sengkang, Fernvale
    Posts
    3,233
    Feedback Score
    20 (100%)
    Country
    Singapore

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    For shrimp tank, most people will use up the whole packet of soil (8 / 9 litres) in a 2 x 1 feet tank. that will measure up to around 4-5 cm thickness of soil.
    CRS - CRazy about Shrimps
    - Alan Phang -

    You can't explain it simply, you don't understand it (well enough )..." - Albert Einstein

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Hougang Singapore
    Posts
    356
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    10
    Country
    Singapore

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    2nd part of my Question.

    For marine tank, there is this thing called the Deep Sand Bed. Is there one for Fresh water? Can I increase the Gex soil or ADA soil to 3 to 4 inches (7 - 10cm high)? Is there no effect on the depth of this type of soil?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Hougang Singapore
    Posts
    356
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    10
    Country
    Singapore

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    Can my layer of the soil be as little as 2cm? Because I will only be having moss that is tied to driftwood so there is no need for the depth of soil for the roots to grow.
    Any Comments anyone?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Jurong East, Singapore
    Posts
    1,367
    Feedback Score
    25 (100%)
    Images
    1
    Country
    Singapore

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    if you are growing moss you can just use normal gravel, unless you need the soil to bring down the ph

    what shrimps are you keeping?


    Advice from boss Felix

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Posts
    4,923
    Feedback Score
    4 (100%)
    Images
    375
    Country
    Japan

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    To answer your question directly, Gex soil can only be as thick as the biggest bead in the packet..and as thin as the smallest bead in the packet.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Hougang Singapore
    Posts
    356
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    10
    Country
    Singapore

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    I am intending to just have cherry shrimps. I know that the GEX soil is for the lowering of PH and I was told that the cherry redness will be better if the background is darker? Do not if it is a myth, but I think I will just go have about 1 cm. Thanks.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    EAST
    Posts
    223
    Feedback Score
    22 (100%)
    Country
    Singapore

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    1cm for me too shallow...
    minimun for me is 1.5 inches

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Posts
    4,923
    Feedback Score
    4 (100%)
    Images
    375
    Country
    Japan

    Re: How thick should the GEX soil be?

    Actually if you want low ph, can also use peat .

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •