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  1. #21
    Wrigglers
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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    277
    I use Pool filter sand. 100% silica (inert) sand. Not too fine, and heavy enough to vacuum over. Near white color. $10 per 20kg at my local pool shop. Stuff I use is marked "Grade B1".

  2. #22
    Moderator kalebjarrod's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
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    Tamborine, Farm Boy
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    2,478
    Chris i,ve heard pool filter sand is good as well,

    Flukes i,ve thought of going down the substrate mix with peat and other soils/media, always get to sceptical in regards to water quality and clarity.

    all fertilzers carry the NPK ration on them, some do things others don't.
    I like being able to control the growth of my plants by manipulating the ratio.
    RYAN --- DIY ROCKS!

  3. #23
    Blue Diamond Discus
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Chatswood,Sydney
    Posts
    974
    There is a very interesting article by Ralph Cote in the simplydiscus forums.
    http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/...ubstrate.shtml

    He also mentions pool filter sand, a cool vinegar test, and makes an interesting note if you are trying to achieve a planted aquarium. However if you are going for a biotape then that is a different story ... I am thinking about plants ... I am in love with this tank and investigating using CO2

    http://www.ausdiscus.com.au/gallery.html

    Maybe I can combine sand and a nutrient rich substrate by having soil/vermiculite mixture substrate at the bottom and sand above it ?

  4. #24
    Moderator kalebjarrod's Avatar
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    Jun 2004
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    Tamborine, Farm Boy
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    i thought vermiculite was gold in colour and floated?

    and if it dose sink you could never vac it, it would get sucked up being so light.

    can you get other types? correct me if i am wrong
    RYAN --- DIY ROCKS!

  5. #25
    Blue Diamond Discus
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Chatswood,Sydney
    Posts
    974
    Hi Kaleb

    I wish I could tell you, I am just going off the 'planted tank guys' information given in ausdiscus ... his writing cracks me up.

    I think after this investigation ... that as a discus newbie I am stearing clear of sand for the time being ... a heavily planted tank beckons me ... can you believe I have CO2 cannisters on my brain now ... I see them everywhere in floors on buildings now ... I swear I never saw them there before ... lol ... `starts calling fire protection equipment suppliers`
    Dave

  6. #26
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Mulgrave, Melbourne
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    2,047
    If your going to use a fire extinguisher a quell is the best yoo use with out having too use a lot of attachments.

  7. #27
    Founder Proteus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    6,735
    ...I have got me some Nepean River sand (course grade)...

    It is a darker coloured sand, the place where I got it from had a horticulturist and a geoligist on hand, and they were certain it was quartz based, however they couldnt gaurantee the percentage (it has also been pre-washed)

  8. #28
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Mulgrave, Melbourne
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    All aquarium gravel is meant too be pre-washed but it still needs too be washed 100 times.

  9. #29
    Founder Proteus's Avatar
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    Feb 2004
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    Sydney, Australia
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    oh trust me... I know that one...

    I have my own custom gravel wash system... 2-3 buckets flowing into each other... the heavier stuff stays in the first bucket...

    Did anyone say anything about water restrictions???


  10. #30
    Moderator kalebjarrod's Avatar
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    Jun 2004
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    Tamborine, Farm Boy
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    2,478
    of course you would be recycling all that water

    WOULDN'T YOU PROTEUS
    RYAN --- DIY ROCKS!

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