I've used eco-complete and floramax and you can't really go wrong with either. I typically do a 50/50 mix of one of those and the petco "sand" substrate.
A plant starter pack would be the way I would go. This gives you a nice variety let's you learn what plants do well in your system and which ones don't do so well.
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As I'm trying to replicate a design, I really only want to use the plants it lists. I suppose then I'll find whichever substrate my LFS carries and use that.
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Only issue there.. the petco sand will eventually fall down as the larger substrate works upwards. I've had success using the flourite black with petco black sand. For corys the Eco complete should be perfect, if you're wanting a super high tech proper than ada aqua soil capped with Eco should be the move..
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I wouldn't even cap the aqua soil. There's no need
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Well i will be able to comment further once ive got my tank going
It is designed to be used on its own with no cap. Im sure sand and other specialised planted substrates will kick up just as easy
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Absolutely, if I hit the flourite black sand full blast it would be chaos! You keep talking about this tank of yours... we ever going to see it?! That wood still floating
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Like a bleep bleep boat!!! Lol. I remove the stones and that wood sets off like a rocket for the moon!
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Headed to LFS today! Yay! Planning on picking up a male GBR, more rummynose tetras, some plants and such and substrate, maybe stones and hopefully a finnex planted plus if they have any! (Sometimes they do have them for $90)
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Just found out that at 18" high a finnex planted plus will give me low to medium light
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I'm not paying $225 for low-end high light honestly
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