I suggest eco complete as it is balck and will be much easier to clean
than sand.
Flourite alo is a pain as it makes the water cloudy and whenever you
move plants around you will disturb it
On another note sand will be compacted over time and this is not
conducive to plant grow

Kasselmann aquarium plants book 59.99
Eco-Complete 13.99 a bag

Marcus

http://www.aquatic-store.com/

Co2 tanks on sale
Power compact bulbs and MH the lowest on the net
Co2 regulator and bubble counter with needle valve $75

JBJ lighitn, Hamilton lighting and milwaukee 5% price match find it
cheaper and buy it with us for 5% less than thier price

On Thu, 08 Apr 2004 11:05:58 -0400, TR
wrote:

Hi,
I am planning to start a second aquarium (20 or 30G long), designed to
be planted from the start (my current one has plants but substrate is
bad).
I've been reading up on planted tank techniques and recommendations, but
I have a few questions in regards to maintenance.

I'm leaning towards a fluorite base with a topping of Onyx sand or Black
Tahitian Moon sand. When you have a sand topping like that, how do you
clean the substrate? Can you vacuum like you do with gravel? Or do you
just have to be sure you never over feed :-0. Does waste breakdown
better/faster in a planted tank?
Is there any future maintenance that will be needed, like replacing the
topping or reworking the substrate in general?
I've seen some recommendations to slope the substrate so it is lower in
the front, is there a particular reason for this?

Thanks,
Tom