Any advice for an under substrate filler?

fiddler · 05-12-2009, 07:04 PM

I am setting up a 55g and I want a hill/mountain at one end. I am using EcoComplete, and don't want to buy enough to make a 10"-12" hill. Any body got suggestions for a filler I can use under there? I've been thinking maybe tupperware containers full of water... or a milk jug...

I've also been thinking maybe sand out of the creek, but i'm a little leary of that.

ishar · 05-12-2009, 07:52 PM

For the substrate filler, anything plastic would work- a jug or small plastic box of some kind would work I would think.

As for sand from the creek... I would avoid that completely to be honest. Yeah, you can boil the sand and wash it thoroughly, but there is still a chance of introducing some form of disease or parasite or something into your tank, not to mention possible litter or broken glass.

fiddler · 05-13-2009, 05:49 PM

I've had another thought today... (thinking is best left to someone more qualified than me!)

What about new, clean play sand in a plastic garbage bag? I'm guessing that it would also be fairly easy to get it to hold a shape as well. I would seal it tight and squeeze the air out and trim off any excess bag after I got it filled to the level I needed.

OrangeCones · 05-13-2009, 07:32 PM

I've done what you suggest with no problems before. Made a kind of sloping ridge with mine. The only problem I had is that either the bag tore or the plant roots tore it because roots managed to fill the bag over time (was about 2 years later when I was moving the tank across country).

Orlando · 05-15-2009, 08:00 AM

Lava Rocks

-O

05-12-2009, 07:04 PM	#1
fiddler Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2	Any advice for an under substrate filler? I am setting up a 55g and I want a hill/mountain at one end. I am using EcoComplete, and don't want to buy enough to make a 10"-12" hill. Any body got suggestions for a filler I can use under there? I've been thinking maybe tupperware containers full of water... or a milk jug... I've also been thinking maybe sand out of the creek, but i'm a little leary of that.

05-12-2009, 07:52 PM	#2
ishar MFT Staff Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hamilton, ON. Posts: 1,477	For the substrate filler, anything plastic would work- a jug or small plastic box of some kind would work I would think. As for sand from the creek... I would avoid that completely to be honest. Yeah, you can boil the sand and wash it thoroughly, but there is still a chance of introducing some form of disease or parasite or something into your tank, not to mention possible litter or broken glass. __________________ Old 20G- NOTE there are no pics in this journal anymore 20G Long "The Meadow" Journal ~~~~VOTE FOR MFT HERE~~~~ Ishar's Auctions Ishar's Planted Tank Website

05-15-2009, 08:00 AM	#5
Orlando Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 83	Lava Rocks -O __________________

05-13-2009, 05:49 PM	#3
fiddler Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2	I've had another thought today... (thinking is best left to someone more qualified than me!) What about new, clean play sand in a plastic garbage bag? I'm guessing that it would also be fairly easy to get it to hold a shape as well. I would seal it tight and squeeze the air out and trim off any excess bag after I got it filled to the level I needed.

05-13-2009, 07:32 PM	#4
OrangeCones Large Fish Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 983	I've done what you suggest with no problems before. Made a kind of sloping ridge with mine. The only problem I had is that either the bag tore or the plant roots tore it because roots managed to fill the bag over time (was about 2 years later when I was moving the tank across country).