Aqua Essentials Colombo Flora Nutri Base 5L

Product Information

This substrate will lower the pH and soften the water in your tank. Now, this is good for many aquatic plants, but may not be for the fish you keep. So keep that in mind. There are fish keepers out there that literally put dirt into their aquariums. Actually, it is a unique art that experienced fish keepers should test. How do I choose the right Aquarium substrate? If you choose Seachem Flourite, I recommend you clean it before adding it to your planted aquarium. If you don’t, it’s more likely to discolor the water. Pros Easy to use: The Colombo Nutri Base is straightforward to use. Simply rinse the substrate to remove any excess dust or debris, spread it evenly at the bottom of the aquarium, and cover it with a layer of aquarium gravel or sand. It is compatible with both freshwater and planted aquarium setups. In deciding to go with a particular inert substrate, these are five key areas to consider and evaluate:

So the more surface area you have in your aquarium, the more opportunity there is for the growth of this bacteria. These are all prime areas for beneficial bacteria to grow. Aquarium Sand Sand is also an amazing bio media because it has all that surface area for beneficial bacteria. Actually, it’s even better than gravel in that regard. Aquasoils aid greatly in plant growth, and hence is the default choice for most planted tank enthusiasts these days. Experts also believe that its nutritional properties will only last a year too, so maybe this product is not for the long term. A huge benefit of using Seachem Flourite is you’ll never need to replace it. The clay gravel is porous, and ideal for plants and their root structures.

Inert Substrate Reviews

Large pallet items like aquariums are deemed delivered successfully with no damage once the the driver has left the property. If a report of damage is submitted after the driver has left we may be unable to assist with replacements. We recommend refusing a damaged delivery, this is the fastest resolution. Most aquasoils contain peat which reduces KH and buffers pH down. Different brands will state different buffering levels. The majority will aim to drop the pH to slightly below 7. This softwater environment is preferred by many plant species.

I’ve used Tropica’s Growth Substrate in the past but concluded that I rescape too often to bother with this additional layer - it provides great long term nutrients but is rather muddy during rescape (or clean out) Growing plants in soil makes perfect sense too instead of trying to enrich an inert gravel substrate with fertilisers. Seachem Flourite (above) comes in attractive textures/colours. It has good weight, and is easy to plant in. Gravel is the most common aquarium substrate in the fish-keeping hobby. It’s easy to find, easy to maintain, pretty cheap, and looks good.

 DIY

It works very well to keep artificial plants anchored and can even be a good foothold for many live plants. Dyes: Dyes, like those used on colored play sand, can come off over time. This can discolor your tank water and even other items within the tank. Some dyes are dangerous for aquatic plants and animals. By adding a base later of sand, middle layer of aquarium soil, and a top layer of gravel, you’ll mimic a natural aquatic environment. Ammonia/nutrient content/organic content - Some aquasoils are heavily spiked with ammonia (ADA aquasoil) while others are not (Dennerle). Soils heavily spiked with ammonia need frequent water changes during first couple of weeks and/or pre-cycling the tank for 1-2 weeks before planting. CaribSea Eco-complete (above) has good porosity, but is a little light, which makes it difficult to plant in. Despite its name; it does not actually provide significant nutrients for plants.

Root development: The substrate's composition encourages the development of a robust root system in aquatic plants. Strong roots anchor the plants securely in the substrate, allowing them to absorb nutrients more efficiently and establish a stable foundation for healthy growth. Colombo Mano Base is a natural substrate that can be used as a top layer in any aquarium from beginner all the way up to expert. As opposed to gravel, Colombo Flora Mano Base is open and light with a porous structure. This openness of each grain allows rapid and massive bacterial colonisation which provides for stable water conditions. The substrate is base layer of material in a tank where plants can root and grow. It also a home for bacteria bio-film and microbes which serve as a food source for detritus feeders such as shrimp. Bacteria bio-film also binds small particulate matter together and the substrate serves as a capture point for this. In the substrate, organic debris is broken down further into nutrients that can be uptake by plants. You have plants which get most of their nutrients from the water, and these are called water column feeders. I have used this product in numerous set-ups with success. It contains clay and sphagnum that slowly release nutrients to the plant roots and also binds nutrition, such as algae-causing ammonia, from the aquarium water. A 1cm layer is added to the aquarium base and topped with a 3-4cm layer of suitable plain/inert gravel or sand making it a very simple product to use – no rinsing is required. It is important to avoid disturbing the Tropica Plant Substrate as it can cloud the water significantly. It is a good value product with a 5 litre bag being enough to set up a typical 250 litre aquarium. Highly recommended.

ADA la plata sand has a mix of naturalistic grains but comes at premium cost - the cost does not reflect its nutrient content, but rather its aesthetic value. Talking about the downsides of sand, some sand has very fine granules that can get blown around in your tank. That’s not a big deal unless it gets blown into your filter intake. If sand gets into your filter’s impeller, it can ruin it. Sand is a substrate that fish keepers either love or hate. There’s no doubt that it’s the most natural-looking substrate. But it’s definitely got its pros and cons. So, let’s go over each one. Aquarium Sand Depending on how they are baked, and their ratio of clay to organics, some aquasoils are harder while some are softer. Hard baked soils can be more brittle. Soft soils may be easier for delicate root systems to penetrate and attach. Enhanced plant growth: By providing a nutrient-rich environment, the Flora Nutri Base stimulates vigorous growth in aquatic plants. It promotes lush foliage, vibrant colors, and encourages the proliferation of new shoots, resulting in a visually appealing and thriving planted aquarium.