Flourite or Laterite? - MyFishTank.Net Freshwater Saltwater Aquarium Fish Forum

TygGer · 09-11-2003, 11:55 AM

I'm going to go get some today to help my plants out. Which one is a better substrate?

Also, I will be adding this to a tank already up and running populated with fish and live plants. I'm imagining that the water will initially become very cloudy. Should I keep the filter running or should I turn it off and let the stuff settle on it's own?

(I will probably remove the fish to be safe)

Gomer · 09-11-2003, 03:15 PM

Laterite you use as an additive, fourite can be used by itself. Flourite has worked well for me so far. Just be sure you rince the stuff like crazy!

geKo · 09-12-2003, 05:06 PM

Flourite all the way

My plants grow so nice with this substrat

TygGer · 09-12-2003, 06:43 PM

Cool, thx.

btw geKo, the link in your sig doesn't seem to be working.

depthC · 09-12-2003, 07:15 PM

I use both Flourite and Laterite. Flourite works the best out of the two simple because the plants roots dont have to grow dont into the laterite to get the nutritents. Also flourite isnt as messy as laterite.

So

Flourite Pros:
- Great Nutrient Rich Substrate
- Not very messy

Cons:
- Expensive

Laterite Pros:
- Great Nutrients

Cons:
- Expensive
- Really messy and should be used as an underlayment only
- Roots need to grow into or be shoved way under there to get into the nutrients

Id go with a 100% Flourite substrate but since your adding it make sure you rinse it very well to reduce cloudiness. Keep your filters running so it clears faster, and i think the fish should be fine.

- depthC

revengeishere · 09-12-2003, 07:37 PM

Quote:

because the plants roots dont have to grow dont into the laterite to get the nutritents

But aren't roots supposed to grow down? I think laterite is cheaper because of the fact that it is an additive...you can easily spend $90 to fill in a 55 gallon tank, whereas laterite only cost $15-$33(depending on brand) to do the same thing.

depthC · 09-13-2003, 01:39 PM

Yes the roots grow down, but it takes time for them to get there so growth will most likey be slow until they reach it.

- depthC

TygGer · 09-13-2003, 03:30 PM

Will Flourite lose its nutrients as time goes by? Meaning, will I have to replace it after a year or so?

depthC · 09-13-2003, 03:35 PM

Nope, overtime its effectiveness increases since you shouldnt vaccum the gravel all the debris act as nutrients as well as the substrate.

- depthC

TygGer · 09-13-2003, 09:27 PM

Hmm, just got back from Petsmart, Petco and a LFS and neither one of them carried Flourite.

Thanks depthC

09-11-2003, 11:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
TygGer Little Fish Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: VA Posts: 117	Flourite or Laterite? I'm going to go get some today to help my plants out. Which one is a better substrate? Also, I will be adding this to a tank already up and running populated with fish and live plants. I'm imagining that the water will initially become very cloudy. Should I keep the filter running or should I turn it off and let the stuff settle on it's own? (I will probably remove the fish to be safe)

09-11-2003, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gomer Super Fish Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: So Calif. Posts: 1,118	Laterite you use as an additive, fourite can be used by itself. Flourite has worked well for me so far. Just be sure you rince the stuff like crazy! __________________ What are you..a cory or a loach?!

09-12-2003, 05:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
geKo Large Fish Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Louisville ky Posts: 930	Flourite all the way My plants grow so nice with this substrat __________________ Proud Member Of MFT For Six Years & Counting

09-12-2003, 06:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
TygGer Little Fish Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: VA Posts: 117	Cool, thx. btw geKo, the link in your sig doesn't seem to be working.

09-12-2003, 07:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
depthC Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,401	I use both Flourite and Laterite. Flourite works the best out of the two simple because the plants roots dont have to grow dont into the laterite to get the nutritents. Also flourite isnt as messy as laterite. So Flourite Pros: - Great Nutrient Rich Substrate - Not very messy Cons: - Expensive Laterite Pros: - Great Nutrients Cons: - Expensive - Really messy and should be used as an underlayment only - Roots need to grow into or be shoved way under there to get into the nutrients Id go with a 100% Flourite substrate but since your adding it make sure you rinse it very well to reduce cloudiness. Keep your filters running so it clears faster, and i think the fish should be fine. - depthC

09-13-2003, 01:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
depthC Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,401	Yes the roots grow down, but it takes time for them to get there so growth will most likey be slow until they reach it. - depthC

09-13-2003, 03:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
TygGer Little Fish Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: VA Posts: 117	Will Flourite lose its nutrients as time goes by? Meaning, will I have to replace it after a year or so?

09-13-2003, 03:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
depthC Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,401	Nope, overtime its effectiveness increases since you shouldnt vaccum the gravel all the debris act as nutrients as well as the substrate. - depthC

09-13-2003, 09:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
TygGer Little Fish Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: VA Posts: 117	Hmm, just got back from Petsmart, Petco and a LFS and neither one of them carried Flourite. Thanks depthC