Substrate options

[FSM]

If I can find 3M colorquartz I will buy a bag. Is there much of a benefit to using flourite/eco-complete instead of inert sand/gravel + root tabs?

 

[tanker]

Black sand. What is the stuff in the picture?

The tank in the picture is just ordinary gravel. Initially I put some laterit under it (but that was in the begining). I add root tabs now, but only under my swords.

My 120 (which I just started about 2-3 months ago) is ECO-complete with black sand over it. So far so good,

 

[justahannah]

I have some Turface (a friend gave me leftovers) mixed in with my substrate (and by mixed, I mean it always floats to the top layer), and I personally don't like it based on its lack of weight. The slightest current pushes it around, and it's not heavy enough to hold my plants in place unless they're already very well rooted, and even that's iffy if my fish swim by quickly. My vote goes for colorquartz and root tabs.

 

[FSM]

I think I may mix some turface with the aquatic soil and use that as the bottom layer. That should keep it from ending up at the top, I hope.