I have a planted 12g that is starting to do OK (making a lot of mistakes but some progress). I have kind of plain medium gravel. I am getting a used 30g setup and want to have a nice planted tank. I am trying to do the research. What is the recommended substrate for a planted arrangement (I am thinking about a SE Asian theme).
Substrate recommendation
- Thread starter ggrowney
- Start date
Soil substrate setup... Spread an inch and a half of the darkest swamp mud in the bottom of your tank, topped with 1/2" of dark gravel. Let the tank settle, then plant your plants. Let the tank settle a bit more (should be about a day max once you plant, probably less though), then add a few fish. Looks nice, grows great, what's better?
Eco-complete or my favorite Flourite will supply a nice substrate base for any freshwater aquarium and all that is necessary.
Adding soil to a substrate can end up a very messy proposition and not necessary IMO.
Len
Adding soil to a substrate can end up a very messy proposition and not necessary IMO.
Len
my favorites are ADA amazonia.. it brings the ph lower, all the nutrients are already in so no fert. necessary and its black so it brings out the color in fish and plants.
bit pricy tho, pair with power sand, yo can grow most of the plants with ease
bit pricy tho, pair with power sand, yo can grow most of the plants with ease
There's also the idea of using vermiculite clay squished into a 1" layer beneath your small gravel. The setup is somewhere on the net from a very low-tech (and low cost!) approach to aquariums.
Mind you, the most expensive thing with plants is not the substrate, but the light you're putting on top of the plants.
Ps. What do you have available in your area?
Pss. Here's that setup: http://www.hallman.org/plant/gravel.html and http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/kelly-intro.html
-Note, a lot of people have problems with topsoil since it creates a lot of mess and might bring pathogens into the tank.
Mind you, the most expensive thing with plants is not the substrate, but the light you're putting on top of the plants.
Ps. What do you have available in your area?
Pss. Here's that setup: http://www.hallman.org/plant/gravel.html and http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/kelly-intro.html
-Note, a lot of people have problems with topsoil since it creates a lot of mess and might bring pathogens into the tank.
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