Choosing Substrate

[carttman]

I would like to put live plants in my tank and I was wondering how necessary it is to have a nutrient rich substrate. When I do some research on certain plants it says that they do better in a nutrient rich substrate. Right now I have a gravel substrate with low lighting but I plan on upgrading to 65 W for a 29 gallon tank. What should I do?

 

[J double R]

go for some eco-complete. it's not too terribly expensive, works well, and isnt too messy.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i use cheap gravel i got from home depot and plants grow like crazy. its not one of those things you have to have. its nice yes but not a must.

 

[plantbrain]

I like ADA's Aqua soil, then I dose the water column with ferts, that gives me the best results and lets the plants pick where they want to take in the nutrients. They do not have to transport anything this way.

It's also cheaper than Eco complete and softer, more even grained.
You do not pay for water either.
Needs no rinsing as well.

Unlike EC, the ADA AS is enriched with macro nutrients as well as micro nutrients(EC has micro nutrients).

Regards,
Tom Barr