how deep should substrate be for a planted tank

[tmdavies]

How deep should substrate be for a planted tank? do i need layers of different types of substrate or will gravel do?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

How deep should substrate be for a planted tank? do i need layers of different types of substrate or will gravel do?

I like 2-3 inches of substrate. You can use most anything you want. I have one tank planted using Petco gravel. Two tanks with layers (bottom->top) 1" peat moss, laterite, 2" PFS (pool filter sand). They both work great, but I'm partial to the peat/PFS for new builds.

 

[Marconis]

If you're dong soil, it needs to be relatively thin due to the development of a more anaerobic environment. I think many with standard substrates do what Mr. Limpet stated. Some actually create a slope in their tank and sometimes have up to 5 inches in the back that eventually tapers to something like 2 inches in the front. Some plants with extensive root systems will need deeper substrates than those without.