A guide to substrates for the planted tank - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

travis simonson · 12-13-2006, 09:42 PM

I've got a planted ARLC in which I'm using a mixture of Caribsea Cichlid Sand (which is alkaline and will increase pH to ~8.0 if used as directed :P ) and Caribsea Eco-Complete which I believe has little effect on pH. I will tell you right now that some plants (Tonina spp., Ludwigia "Pantanal," Eriocaulon spp., and many other "soft water" plants do not like having their roots in alkaline substrate. It just fries them. However, many other plants have no qualms at all about being planted in it. Overall, unless you need a pH increasing substrate for some reason (African cichlids in my case), you are best off going with neutral or acidic substrates.

gu2high · 12-15-2006, 08:10 PM

Thank for your replies. I decided to keep the Turface MVP as it is good for planting. I have raised the water pH to 6.8-7.0 with Florida crushed coral - by a small bag in filter and a large bag in tank in 2 weeks. Now I am happy about it.

I want to update it. After two month, I have already removed the crushed coral from filter and pH is stable around 7.0.

Zezmo · 01-07-2007, 04:36 AM

Here is a link to my review of the AquariumPlants.com substrate. This is basicly sifted Turface in a nice red bucket.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewto...=755854#755854

redswi · 01-07-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Soil-layered substrate

I ran across this in another site awhile back and have seen it mentioned numerus times...it seems like a simple, and cheap approach to soil substrate.

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/kelly-intro.html

12-13-2006, 09:42 PM	#11
travis simonson Hortipath Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,038 Images: 32	I've got a planted ARLC in which I'm using a mixture of Caribsea Cichlid Sand (which is alkaline and will increase pH to ~8.0 if used as directed :P ) and Caribsea Eco-Complete which I believe has little effect on pH. I will tell you right now that some plants (Tonina spp., Ludwigia "Pantanal," Eriocaulon spp., and many other "soft water" plants do not like having their roots in alkaline substrate. It just fries them. However, many other plants have no qualms at all about being planted in it. Overall, unless you need a pH increasing substrate for some reason (African cichlids in my case), you are best off going with neutral or acidic substrates. __________________ “There is something in the quality of a good translation that can never be captured in the original.” -William Gibson

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12-15-2006, 08:10 PM	#12
gu2high Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 355	Thank for your replies. I decided to keep the Turface MVP as it is good for planting. I have raised the water pH to 6.8-7.0 with Florida crushed coral - by a small bag in filter and a large bag in tank in 2 weeks. Now I am happy about it. I want to update it. After two month, I have already removed the crushed coral from filter and pH is stable around 7.0.

01-07-2007, 04:36 AM	#13
Zezmo Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,112 Images: 14	Here is a link to my review of the AquariumPlants.com substrate. This is basicly sifted Turface in a nice red bucket. http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewto...=755854#755854