substrate and hardscape

when 'assembling' a new planted tank, in what order do you lay the substrate and hardscape? hardscape first and then substrate around it, or do you lay substrate first and then add the hardscape?

I have two pieces of branchy vine for driftwood, some rocks and my substrate is flourite capped with smooth river pea gravel.

the driftwood is quite light and I HOPE it sinks eventually! (it's still curing in a bucket)

 

Hi Anine.

You dont want any hardscape making direct contact with the bottom glass not wood and never rocks, this can break the glass. I dont think you have to worry about the wood not sinking, just give it time.

Ric

 

aha! that makes sense. Thanx Ric

 

i usually think of a scape, then do the substrate according to the scape, then the hard scape accordingly..

And yes, the wood will sink.. Throw it in ur pool for a month or 2 and tht wil speeed up the leeching process as well..

Happy scaping!!

 

If you plan on piling up lots of rocks I would even suggest putting a sheet of styrene under the substrate.

 

Good idea!

 

Rocks on a thin sheet of poly first if you have fish that like to dig deep. You dont want your fish digging under the rocks causing it to collapse and maybe tumble against the glass.

 

excellent advice, thanx guys