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Thread: Discus + Planted - substrate

  1. #1
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    Default Discus + Planted - substrate

    Hi,
    Would this be a good substrate for a planted discus tank?
    https://www.jbl.de/en/products/detai...-beige#6707400

    Thanks

  2. #2

    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Substrate whether in a discus tank or otherwise can be very difficult to clean, I prefer to pot my plants and use a fine gravel for substrate.

    Jeanne

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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Thanks,
    What makes the gravel easier to clean?

  4. #4

    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    I can only speak from my experience, if you're plants are potted you can pretty much clean all around them on the bottom ,where as a plant substrate is going to make a mess when you go in there to clean.

    Jeanne

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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Quote Originally Posted by janivr View Post
    Thanks,
    What makes the gravel easier to clean?
    Did you mean gadget like this. https://www.amazon.ca/Python-16PC-Pr...34648225&psc=1

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Hi and welcome Janivr .
    Theese planted substrates are ideal for plants , especialy if you run a high tech planted with additional fertilization .
    They are not well suited for discus though, because they trap a lot of dirt and gunk and may foul the water more than discus can tolerate .Plants on the other hand love dirt and gunk , deep in their root zones .

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Thanks,
    So what substrate would be best for low-tech discus tank?
    Thanks

  8. #8
    Registered Member + MVP danotaylor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Inert pool filter sand. You can use root tabs for planted plants and secure ferns, anubias etc to rocks or wood

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Too tough for plants. I need something in the between.
    Please advise.
    Thanks

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Quote Originally Posted by danotaylor View Post
    Inert pool filter sand. You can use root tabs for planted plants and secure ferns, anubias etc to rocks or wood
    +1 you can do a nice thin layer of this pool filter sand under $20 from HD or any pool store. I paid $9.99 for a 50lb bag.

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Quote Originally Posted by janivr View Post
    Too tough for plants. I need something in the between.
    Please advise.
    Thanks
    It's not too tough. I'm growing out a ton of stem plants in my shrimp tank using sand. However, if you want, you can buy some of eheim substrate or any plant substrate of your choice and add it to the back half of the tank and then cover everything with sand. So you'll have a half inch of sand up front and about 1.5inch in the rear.

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Thanks.
    Would you please share some pics so I can learn?
    If I put substrate (height?) under the 1/1.5 inch sand I'll have less dirt?
    Thanks

  13. #13
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    Quote Originally Posted by janivr View Post
    Thanks.
    Would you please share some pics so I can learn?
    If I put substrate (height?) under the 1/1.5 inch sand I'll have less dirt?
    Thanks
    Sorry, my shrimp tank is 100% pool filter sand. I was just throwing out an idea of what you could do it you are adamant about having planted substrate.

    If you have never done discus before and you really want to learn a planted tank, you might have to set up two tanks. One, to learn the discus requirements and, then, one to learn the planted tanks and its requirements. When you're more experienced ,then you can merge the two.

  14. #14
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    I had discus planted with gravel. Not good.
    (Very long time ago).
    I guess my question should be how hard it to maintain a clean tank with substrateor which option is better.
    Thanks
    Last edited by janivr; 09-23-2019 at 01:49 PM.

  15. #15
    Homesteader Filip's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus + Planted - substrate

    The best compromise IMO would be PFS sand with thin layer of plant mineral substrate or dirt traped underneath .
    I do pots for my planted discus tank and they are made in this , dirt capped with sand , manner.

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