cheap effective diy plant substrates????

Yes disturbing the substrate is a problem. The same is true of the spikes. They are fine until you disturb them.
 
I would say that depends on the ‘noob’. You can just as easily discourage them with the cost.
 
No I have never used soil. It was the one substrate I was warned against back in the early 70s. Of course back then I couldn’r find many plants either. Laterite won’t cause any problems at all. I have used it some. It just has always seemed expensive to me.

I am curious what you are planning here. I am not convinced the substrate is all that important in comparison to light, fertilization and CO2.
 
I am curious what you are planning here. I am not convinced the substrate is all that important in comparison to light, fertilization and CO2.

i agree. i would use the extra money on more lights co2 or ferts. i have had great growth in my tanks with cheap gravel.
 
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