|| While I admit that Flourite is attractive on it's own, I would have
|| to say that my method has mostly due with the different nutrient
|| complexes provided by the Onyx as opposed to just Flourite... it's
|| the "shotgun" approach to nourishing plants.... two different
|| nutrient-rich substrates combined with a very porous substrate to
|| keep a "loose" bed of gravel which promotes sufficient water
|| circulation into the root zone, as well as a healthier colony of
|| beneficial bacteria. Any thoughts?

Try keeping your replies to the thread you're involved in, cuz I'm not sure
what or where this conversation started, nor do I know Kenneth, nor am I
Kenneth, but I'll add my $.02 in here....

I have both... Flourite is good, Onyx is good. Flourite is somewhat easier
to work with, easier to fertilize roots like for swords, etc, but I tend to
want to mix flourite with a similarly colored and sized gravel for cories,
loaches, and bottom dwelling fish, their barbels don't get damaged, bellies
wont' get irriated...etc.. While I love the look of Onyx, it's almost
impossible to keep plants buried unless you place a couple small rocks, or
you have fish that won't uproot... It's so small and even while porous, my
roots can't penetrate such small pores in the onyx... java fern has to be
attached to wood, because it wont' attach to onyx... it attaches to
flourite... larger 'stones'....

I wouldn't trade either one... they both have their place, and it's not a
science.. I've flirted with the idea of adding flourite to the onyx, and
onyx to the flourite.. just the wrong color.... IMO....

as for circulation, it's not really a biggie here either... theres little
concern about aneorobic activity, because of gravel vacuuming.... snails can
help with the churning there.. Onyx gets very compact, so Malaysian Trumpet
Snails have been hired to keep the fine substrate turned over and in the
flourite the same MTS can do the same job... keeping it nice and clean....

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
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is that better??