What substrate would you prefer?
- Thread starter iLunar
- Start date
If you're going with a high-tech tank, then Fluorite, Eco-Complete, ADA, etc. are your best choices. They sized perfectly to allow a enough flow through that many of the nutrients dosed will be trapped in the particles and be available to the plants roots immediately.
Low-tech tanks will do better with a capped soil substrate as the soil houses the biological processes that slowly breakdown and release the nutrients. Play sand, blasting sand and pool filter sand have been used as the cap with good success. If your looking for more of a gravel, CaribSea makes an inert gravel that is perfect for plants, I can't remember the name though. Larger gravels will allow too much flow which may cause a premature break-down of the soil before the mulm has had a chance to replenish it.
Low-tech tanks will do better with a capped soil substrate as the soil houses the biological processes that slowly breakdown and release the nutrients. Play sand, blasting sand and pool filter sand have been used as the cap with good success. If your looking for more of a gravel, CaribSea makes an inert gravel that is perfect for plants, I can't remember the name though. Larger gravels will allow too much flow which may cause a premature break-down of the soil before the mulm has had a chance to replenish it.
