should I change my substrate?

[Lauren]

I set my tank up thinking I wouldn't go planted. Yeah... that lasted two days. Now I have some medium sized gravel with no nutrients what so ever. However, most of the plants I'm going with won't be planted (java fern and anubis). The plants that will be in the gravel are crypt wendtii and possibly some clover or dwarf sag down the road.

Is it worth it to swap the gravel for these plants, or will it be fine?

 

[7itanium]

plants will do fine in gravel... thats what ferts are for

 

[bitbot]

...or you could grow them in pots.

 

[JAY973]

I know the crypts and dwarf sag seem to grow in anything so I wouldn't both changing the substrate. I have no experience with clover, but if you don't get the results your looking for you can always change it later.

Good Luck.

 

[angelfishlover]

I have a bunch of plants doing well without ferts in my gravel.But after i apply some ferts i see my plants grow super fast.My hygro's roots are dangling,water wisteria shoots grow like very fast as the day goes by and much more miracle after i applied ferts

 

[247Plants]

No need for a fancy substrate unless you really really want it.

 

[Ozymandias]

No need for a fancy substrate unless you really really want it.

yup/agree

 

[Lauren]

Cool thanks. I purposely chose plants that I knew didn't need great substrate or light, but I would hate to take everything out a month from now to change gravel. I just needed some reassurance.

 

[Fishy_Fun]

Your fine, getting a different substrate would be a waste of money IMO.

 

[James0816]

possibly some clover or dwarf sag down the road.

The only issue you might have is keeping these guys in the gravel. I have tried both as well as dwarf hairgrass. Wound up moving ita ll out to another tank.

Not saying it can't be done...but could get a bit trying.