Changing substrate advice for plants

[confusedfishmom]

Hi I am looking to change my substrate in all of my tanks from aquarium gravel to PFS. I did this is one tank and already I am kicking myself for not putting in some type of soil under the sand. What is the most cost effective "soil" or substrate I could put under the PFS to support plant growth?

 

[Caliban07]

Soils are all different. Even two bags of the same soil will be different so finding the 'most' effective is quite difficult. However, you do want one with a nice blend of organic matter and peat etc. Miracle grow organic potting compost seems to be the popular choice in the US but any cheap topsoil should suffice.

 

[Bert2oo1]

Soils are all different. Even two bags of the same soil will be different so finding the 'most' effective is quite difficult. However, you do want one with a nice blend of organic matter and peat etc. Miracle grow organic potting compost seems to be the popular choice in the US but any cheap topsoil should suffice.

Agreed, I used Osmacote seed raiser topped with sand, seems to be working great!

Make sure you drain your tank and refill a few time over to keep down the initial ammonia spike. After that your filter (if established) should be able to take care of the rest.

1 inch of soil is best with a cap of and inch of sand I also added some red clay for abit of extra iron. U can even sprinkle in some Osmacote plus under the soil to give some extra ferts!

Hope I've helped [emoji106]

 

[confusedfishmom]

Thanks! I appreciate the advice.