225 Build - Funky Style

[Funky_Fish14]

Tony I've heard of that Eco-complete as a suggestion for the black as well. And from what I understand the Fluorite is a plant growth substrate. I think Fluorite is really 'mushy' and dirt-like? Too much for me anyways, but you'd know more you own it! Haha. I heard both Eco and Tahitian are about the same? I dont know if there is a difference in the grain-shape. Apparently fluorite is the most 'friendly' option but TMS is truely 'black' once in an aquarium. Eco sounds like it is in between?

I think smoother as opposed to finer is the key, because fish are going to come into contact with the grains no matter the size.

[Myka]

Flourite isn't mushy, it's like little flakes kind of. It's hard. It comes in red or "dark", and is fairly heavy. Eco-Complete is mostly black, and the size varies a lot in a bag. It's fairly light-weight. You may get algae from using either substrate as both are used in planted tanks and are somewhat minor fertilizers, although out of the two I would think you would have better luck with the Flourite.

[Delphinus]

At the risk of further derailing onto this tangent, Fluorite does come in black now. I had to switch to it because I gave up on Eco-Complete after nobody in Calgary could get me any, and the distributors (HI NATE) said they could get me some if I could commit to a whole pallet, which, for a 65g, might have been slightly overkill. I had gotten 2 bags but it was nowhere near enough to get the depth I needed in the tank.

Don't really have an algae issue luckily (although it's a heavily planted tank so that could be the reason), but it's literally wearing the mouths clean off from my corycats. They have no mouths left, just big gaping ulcers. Maybe I need to think about rehoming the little guys, but if this Tahitian Moon stuff would be better I'd be all for that instead.

[Funky_Fish14]

Tony if I get ahold of Tahitian or any other sort of black sand, I'll let you know how it works out. Im trying to get ahold of another type of 'marine' black sand, its some sort of coloured sand because it comes in black/blue/green/pink/white... says its marine and freshwater safe.

Myka: Like i said Tony owns the fluorite not me. The last few bags I touched I thought it seemed mushy but I probably wasnt looking closely enough, I just poked them. :P

Wow awesome - I walked out of my bedroom today and straight to my fishroom (typical morning ritual) and found my Dad decided to gyprock that newly framed section of wall, plaster it and do another coat of mud on the whole room. Thanks Dad, you are awesome!

Picked up more plumbing today, some eggcrate to add to 'guard' the overflow slot, a bin that I will effectively use as a drainage resevoir/sink for under the tank, and also some (a pail of) H2Ocean salt for my SW system! Woot!

I'll try to get pics up at some point tonight. For now, off to play with some plumbing

Cheers,

Chris

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Funky_Fish14

For now, off to play with some plumbing

Keep in mind most of that plumbing was mine as you enjoy 'playtime'.

[kien]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Keep in mind most of that plumbing was mine as you enjoy 'playtime'.

Normally I would jump right in and say something here possibly inappropriate and completely out of context but I think this one has been beat to death..



anyway.. You're making wicked progress here. Wish I had that kind of time.. Envious!

[Funky_Fish14]

Ohhh.... my god... LMAO. You two are wayyy too funny.

Hey Brett at least you aren't 'my dad' like Ed seemed to swing

And Thanks Kien! The joys of the HOLIDAY between school semesters... haha. I am hoping to have most of the tank's plumbing done tonight. Again i've managed to push back the plumbing of the supply line (I think because im going to have to climb around on ladders running piping through the ceiling for that one). The wall should be at least primed tomorrow. I think I MIGHT have to go buy more plumbing tomorrow... AGAIN, lol. (This would make the 10th time I purchase plumbing for this tank).

Off to do more plumbing of the aquarium again. (yes, emphasis placed on plumbing an aquarium).

Cheers,

Chris