Has anyone used the substrate from Aquariumplants.com? If so would you recommend it? If I broke some rule by naming the site i did, please remove this thread. Thanks, ERic
Substrate ?
- Thread starter caesar2
- Start date
its fine to post most links as far as i know of. just a few sites they block but most are free to say. i never used it. i just use cheap gravel i got from home depot. eco complete is also good.
I beleive it is just repackaged "Turface Pro League" (aka Soilmaster Select) which you can probably get cheaper locally. Check out this thread for more info and reviews of the aquariumplants.com substrate: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/general-planted-tank-discussion/38768-new-black-substrate-aquariumplants-com-2.html#post341433
I linked into the middle of the discussion since its very long and that particular post was when the truth started to come out about it. But you can read the whole thread if you want. The Soilmaster Select in charcoal is sometimes difficult to buy, so this may then be an option.
If you have a tight budget this is ok, but for plants Aqua Soil is the best.
I linked into the middle of the discussion since its very long and that particular post was when the truth started to come out about it. But you can read the whole thread if you want. The Soilmaster Select in charcoal is sometimes difficult to buy, so this may then be an option.
If you have a tight budget this is ok, but for plants Aqua Soil is the best.
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It's more likely repackaged Soilmaster Select judging from the pictures posted at www.plantedtank.net of the product.
echoofformless
Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
I used to dig on the plant substrates...but I'm starting to rethink myself. For one, plant substrates are only really beneficial (if at all) to heavy root feeders. Therefore a good number of common plants such as anacharis, java fern, java moss, anubias, rotala, water sprite, hornwort, cabomba, et al, which don't have heavy root feeding requirements (Or even roots at all) get little from such products. From what I know, these plants get more than enough of what they need, nutritionally speaking, from the water column. So liquid fertilizers are what benefit them the most. The substrate is entirely inconsequential.
That leaves heavy root feeders such as cryptocoryne, swords, vals, etc as being the only plants that would seriously benefit from a specialized substrate. (Again, if these substrates actually do anything at all except cost more money.)
That being said, consider the fact that even with specialty plant substrates, it's still a good idea to use root tabs with those plants. (I used Onyx Sand in my Amazon tank and didn't notice any significant vitality in any of my plants until I gave them root tabs.) So when all is said and done, you can get amazing results with simple gravel and/or sand and some root tabs and some quality liquid fertilizers. A little CO2 never hurts either.
Just a few thoughts to consider.
That leaves heavy root feeders such as cryptocoryne, swords, vals, etc as being the only plants that would seriously benefit from a specialized substrate. (Again, if these substrates actually do anything at all except cost more money.)
That being said, consider the fact that even with specialty plant substrates, it's still a good idea to use root tabs with those plants. (I used Onyx Sand in my Amazon tank and didn't notice any significant vitality in any of my plants until I gave them root tabs.) So when all is said and done, you can get amazing results with simple gravel and/or sand and some root tabs and some quality liquid fertilizers. A little CO2 never hurts either.
Just a few thoughts to consider.
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If I recall onyx sand is inert, meaning you would have to provide water column ferts or root tabs. As with anything, the substrate should be chosen with needs in mind. You can spend alot on AquaSoil but if all you want is floating plants it doesnt make much sense. Obvously the substrate isnt going to be a major deal if you only have plants that dont root into the substrate. But for rooting plants Aqua Soil has been proven to be very beneficial. There is more to the substarte than just fertilizers too. For one, a good grain size and consistency promotes healthy and effecient roots. Aqua Soil also effects other things like softening the water. So yes, those products do do something other than cost alot of money. Tom Barr has done a lot of testing of various substrates and AS has been the best by far. But its definetly not required, and like I said you need to match your substrate to your needs/wants/financing.
echoofformless
Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
According to Seachem, onyx sand is supposed to have all sorts of goodies that plants want.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/BLACK_ONYX_Seachem_p/onyx.htm
I also use mostly Flourite in my Asian biotope, but I can't fairly measure its effectiveness due to the fact that I also have peat, Schultz Aquatic Soil, and various hammered river rocks.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/BLACK_ONYX_Seachem_p/onyx.htm
I also use mostly Flourite in my Asian biotope, but I can't fairly measure its effectiveness due to the fact that I also have peat, Schultz Aquatic Soil, and various hammered river rocks.