Plant substrate question

[eraagne]

If I end up with a choice for my south east asia biotopes should I go Seachem Onyx or Red Flourite. I was just curious what would be better for the plants from this region and possibly what would be most natural.

 

[dundadundun]

you'll need more than just fe in your substrate if you're root feeding so i wouldn't worry about which one of these guys is going to root feed better. neither are complete.

as for biotopes... i'll let someone else cover that.

 

[eraagne]

you'll need more than just fe in your substrate if you're root feeding so i wouldn't worry about which one of these guys is going to root feed better. neither are complete.

as for biotopes... i'll let someone else cover that.

Should I mix the two? I'll also use some sort of liquid fertilizer and maybe when I get the money or the time CO2 injections.

I've seen both used in biotope articles. So maybe I mix will both look nice and be nice for the plants?

 

[dundadundun]

i, personally wouldn't, but you could. i don't think it's going to make much of a difference, though. if you want a substrate that's going to feed your plants (as in no need for root tabs for a while) i'd go with organic soil (such as miracle grow organic) capped with sand/gravel/whatever OR ada as.

i would go with dry ferts for many reasons. you'll know what you're putting in there without a calculator, there's plenty of info for dosing dry available on the net, people can answer your questions later, PRICE, dry dosing promotes the understanding of complete fertilizing imo, PRICE, you can make your own root tabs via the recipe in the sticky here if necessary, PRICE, etc., etc., did i mention PRICE, lol...

 

[eraagne]

Ha I just wanted something that might be closer to the plants needs. Hmm . . . so most of the plant stuff like flourite and what not is bunk. I was thinking about buying some orginal eco complete. Is that stuff any good?

 

[fishycat]

The substrates you're talking (flourite/eco-complete/onyx) about do not come with ferts added. They have a high CEC which draws nutrients from the (dosed) water column & makes them accessible for your root feeders.

ADA Aquasoil is a mineralized substrate which I've had great results with, but it will leech ammonia for awhile - good for cycling a tank, not so good for already established tanks. You could presoak to avoid this, but I've never tried it.

 

[eraagne]

The substrates you're talking (flourite/eco-complete/onyx) about do not come with ferts added. They have a high CEC which draws nutrients from the (dosed) water column & makes them accessible for your root feeders.

ADA Aquasoil is a mineralized substrate which I've had great results with, but it will leech ammonia for awhile - good for cycling a tank, not so good for already established tanks. You could presoak to avoid this, but I've never tried it.

Yeah I saw that. I don't know if I could justify the expense to myself. But it looks good. Maybe I'll just stick with pool filter sand and just get some dry fertilizer tabs and work out a schedule.

 

[fishycat]

What plants were you looking at? It's generally a good idea to get ferts for your water column also. If you buy dry ferts, I think you could also diy fert tabs with the same mix.

PFS is cheaper, but buying fert tabs can add up.

 

[eraagne]

So confusing!! Anyway these were the plants I was considering

Thai black water pool tank


blyxa spp,
blyxa aubertii
Blyxa japonica
hygrophila corymbosa,
Hygrophila augustifolia
Hygrophila difformis
pogostemon helferi,
cyperus helferi
java fern
java moss.
Nomaphila stricta
Rotala wallichii
Rotala rotundifolia
Cryptocoryne nevellii
Cryptocoryne lucens
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Microsorium pteropus
Vesicularia dubyana
Microsorium pteropus
Barclaya longifolia



Limnophila aquatica, Riccia fluitans , Ceratopteris thalictroides, and Vesicularia dubyana, are good choices for the breeding tank. Peat fiber may also be offered as building material. Salvinia


So I was just going to go to my LFS that sells a lot of plants and look for some good ones. If I did get ada what would you recommend?