Hi there. My question is this: I just set up a 55 gal. (about 3 weeks ago) with an undergravel filter, 2 Penguin 550 submersible power heads, a Millennium 3000 wet-dry multi filter, 32 watt light and pea gravel substrate. I told the employee at the pet store about my intention to do a planted aquarium and they still suggested the same stuff.
I've just started doing some reading about necessary substrates (Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock) and so far it sounds like the undergravel filter and pea gravel are not the best choices. Do I need to tear it down and start over with better substrate for plant roots? Will the undergravel filter be okay, or does it need to go? Any advice is greatly appreciated. :help:
I've just started doing some reading about necessary substrates (Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock) and so far it sounds like the undergravel filter and pea gravel are not the best choices. Do I need to tear it down and start over with better substrate for plant roots? Will the undergravel filter be okay, or does it need to go? Any advice is greatly appreciated. :help: