ideal substrate for planted tanks
- Thread starter arise1dwr
- Start date
I love flourite for planted tanks. I have the flourite black sand in my 29g and flourite black in my 55g.
iLunar is right on. You can use any substrate you like really. Most plants will do well with plain gravel or sand and root tabs under them. Many do not even need that. You can use a pre-fertilized substrate like eco-complete or fluorite which have great results, but it's not necessary. You can get either at most any lfs. Root tabs, you can get at most pet stores that have an aquarium section.
You probably already know this, but growing plants is really more about light than substrate.
You probably already know this, but growing plants is really more about light than substrate.
I think you will need to narrow down your overall plans first. Many folks start off with low light and without CO2. Expensive lights/Ferts/ CO2 are not needed to get started or even for the long run with the right choices for the tank/fish you have. Take it in small steps and learn as you go.
I have several tanks with plants. One tank has a 60/40 mix of play sand and eco-complete. Another two tanks just play sand. And the last one just has standard aquarium gravel on a RUGF. No ferts or CO2 on any of them..standard lighting.
I have several tanks with plants. One tank has a 60/40 mix of play sand and eco-complete. Another two tanks just play sand. And the last one just has standard aquarium gravel on a RUGF. No ferts or CO2 on any of them..standard lighting.
:iagree:
Substrate is a secondary issue IMO...get set on which plants you want and then your lighting/ferts/CO2 goals. Most plants are not finicky IME.
Substrate is a secondary issue IMO...get set on which plants you want and then your lighting/ferts/CO2 goals. Most plants are not finicky IME.
i dont agree. i think that if you can start off with decent substrate from the begining you will be in better shape. nothing sucks more than changing out substrate in an already established tank, especially if its planted.
i do agree on using just about anything. i wouldnt recommend the normal colored aquarium gravel though. its harder to keep stem plants to stay planted. i would def suggest flourite, eco complete or anything similar, or sand with root tabs. they will all do the job
i do agree on using just about anything. i wouldnt recommend the normal colored aquarium gravel though. its harder to keep stem plants to stay planted. i would def suggest flourite, eco complete or anything similar, or sand with root tabs. they will all do the job
I decided to go with 20lbs of eco-complete covered with play sand in my 55 gallon, IMO the play sand look is so gorgeous with plants.
Substrate is critical for a new planted tank, it is NOT a secondary concern. If all your plants are just anubias, java fern, and moss then yes you dont need a good substrate. But if you plan to grow any root plants at all such as sag, hairgrass etc.. having a special nutrient rich plant substrate at the get go will help tremendously.
There are no perfect substrate, below is the list:
Ada aquasoil: considers to be the best and near perfect, downside it will cause cloudy water and nitrate spike after initial setup
eco-complete: good nutrient rich substate, easy to plant and will not cloud water, downside it has the potential (depends on the shipment) to raise ph/gh, it will go away after a few weeks
flourite: never used this stuff, it's cheap. Downside is it's a mess to setup, and not as good as the previous 2.
If you have the cash go with ada, if not eco complete will work well too, just dont introduce fish to the tank until ph is stable.
There are no perfect substrate, below is the list:
Ada aquasoil: considers to be the best and near perfect, downside it will cause cloudy water and nitrate spike after initial setup
eco-complete: good nutrient rich substate, easy to plant and will not cloud water, downside it has the potential (depends on the shipment) to raise ph/gh, it will go away after a few weeks
flourite: never used this stuff, it's cheap. Downside is it's a mess to setup, and not as good as the previous 2.
If you have the cash go with ada, if not eco complete will work well too, just dont introduce fish to the tank until ph is stable.