"P&L" wrote in message
.. .
Still tweaking a new plant tank, 1 month old 90 gallon. Initial startup
plants are in, co2 running, chemistry good. I have some final re-arranging
of rocks and wood to do, plus I need to add to my fluorite substrate. Any
ideas on how best to get more fluorite to the bottom without turning the
tank into a particle soup?

I was thinking of using a margarine container, gently top up with water,
then put the lid on. Bring it to the bottom and slowly pour out the
fluorite. Make little piles in this way all over, then spread it out
later.

Another suggestion from the LFS was to use a PVC tube, a couple inches in
diameter, and pour the fluorite down the tube. Might work.

Ideas anyone?

Phil
Ottawa


I'm in the same boat here. I want to supplement my existing gravel with some
Fluorite. I had the very same idea as you with margarine tubs, seems like it
should work. Although I recently (not so gently) emptied some pots of
Fluorite that had been at the bottom of the aquarium for some time. I still
ended up with Fluorite soup. Fortunately the Diatom filter cleared it up in
a couple of hours. Perhaps using plastic bags and gently slitting them open
on the bottom would work better.

As for the tube idea. this would only work if you waited for the dust in the
tube to settle before you removed the tube. I imagine it would be a painful
process in a large tank.