Substrate type and depth

[Jenn123]

Hi,

What is a good, clean, attractive substrate for keeping plants? How deep should the substrate be as a minumum?

Thanks!

Jenn

[Emg]

Jenn, Echo-Complete for planted aquariums is great for plants and looks like regular topsoil but it's made from lava rock I think. Has everything in it the plants need to grow so it starts them off well. You don't have to rinse it..(a BIG plus in my book!)..a 20lb bag is enough for 2 inches in a 10 gallon tank, I believe....not sure on the depth...

The only down side, is the cost...it's pretty expensive, usually costs me about 30$ for a 20lb bag what with shipping costs and the like. I can't seem to find a store that sells it in my area.

[ergo sum]

I am using one of the Profile products right now. It is cheap. But it has dropped the ph in the tank down to about 6.6. My tap water is about 7.2. I am using the soil additive. I got it at Home Depot. If I put a hand full into a small container of water the ph drops almost instantly. The plants seem to love it. I mixed in some Flourish Tabs. I crushed them a bit and scattered them around in the substrate. It is a very nice substrate to work with, pretty easy to plant in.
The Kh in that tank seems a little low, but the KH in the tap water is low right now anyway. I add a little bicarbonate into the water changes.
I use about two inches. Maybe 5 in the back of the tank.

[spinjector]

I am using one of the Profile products right now...I got it at Home DepotSo is this some kind of potting soil then? Or something from the pond section?

[ben_manzella]

Profile products make turface which is used on athletic fields. It is a ceramic type soil that has the ability hold water and release it slowly. You can also go to Home Depot/Lowes and pick up Schultzs aquatic soil. It is basicly the same thing. I mixed it in with flourite to save some money. 20# bag $6.

http://www.profileproducts.com/

[ergo sum]

I don't think the Aquatic soil and the Turface are exactly the same thing. I think that is why people don't seem to agree on the effects of using these on the PH. Take a look at this: http://home.infinet.net/teban/jamie.htm

Profile has a ph of 7 but Turface has a ph of 6.2.

That is why I think what I am using is Turface, and why I think it lowers the PH in the water.

[ergo sum]

Spin the stuff I am using is a soil additive. I got it at Home Depot in the garden section. You can find the Aquatic soil in among the pond stuff. The additive was cheaper. At the time I just saw the name Profile on the bag and bought it. I love the color.

[spinjector]

ahh ok thanks!