gravel vs. laterite

[Liz]

Would using just gravel with fertilizer tabs be just as good as gravel with laterite?

 

[Ozymandias]

probably i mean i don't know much about laterite but too me it has always just semed like a type of fertilizer any way.

 

[Liz]

Well how about laterite vs. plain gravel w root tabs vs. flourite vs. eco-complete?
I already have a bag of gravel and some root tabs and I am thinking of just taking that route for convenience's sake. Also, I guess all the fancy substrates and I KNOW laterite eventually run out of nutrients so you wind up using root tabs anyways.

 

[Liz]

I'm gonna show off a little it... here was my planted 10g dp tank. I used to know what I was doingb ut ive been out of the hobby for like 2 years...
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/dptank.jpg
different stage:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j208/luvluvluvluvluv/72.jpg

 

[timwag2001]

i would personally just use a good substrate. just my opinion

 

[jpappy789]

I don't really get the big deal with special substrates...I'm trying out fluorite atm and not seeing anything tremendously different than when I went with plain sand or gravel. Just my opinion...

 

[Dr. Awkward]

I was not thrilled with laterite+regular gravel. I didn't see a difference in plant growth at all. With root tabs I did see a difference.

 

[StereoKills]

Laterite really only provides a source of iron, so even using it you would want to use a fertilization regimen.