I think fertilized substrates are vastly overated for all but the most intensive root feeders.
My aquarium has been up for 3 years or so now with a mixture of play sand, tahitian moon sand, and pool sand which actually looked about the same as play sand and I have no trouble growing plants. Except glosso and me don't always get along, depends on what phase the moon is in and how I hold my tongue
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I have DHG, Anubias, Crypts, kleinar bar sword, pygmy chain swords, and tiger lotus.
they all do great with just co2 and fertilizing the water column.
My aquarium has been up for 3 years or so now with a mixture of play sand, tahitian moon sand, and pool sand which actually looked about the same as play sand and I have no trouble growing plants. Except glosso and me don't always get along, depends on what phase the moon is in and how I hold my tongue
.I have DHG, Anubias, Crypts, kleinar bar sword, pygmy chain swords, and tiger lotus.
they all do great with just co2 and fertilizing the water column.
