What substrate should i use for plants?

[Bearchumjs]

I'm new to the whole aquarium thing. I have gravel in my tank. I just bought some live plants today and I want to know what I should use so they grow. Gravel? Sand? Dirt? And if dirt, what kind? I think I want to use sand. I like the looks of it. Can someone please help me out so I know what to use? I attached a photo of my tank and I already found out I need to replant the plants. I'll do that as soon as I get new substrate. Maybe tomorrow...

 

[bs6749]

Substrate isn't nearly as important as the amount/quality of lighting and availability of nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous) in addition to carbon dioxide. You can use a nutrient poor substrate like pool filter sand of gravel if you dose fertilizers for the plants. Or, you can use a nutrient rich substrate such as ADA Amazonia soil and dose fertilizers occasionally.

 

[Bearchumjs]

Substrate isn't nearly as important as the amount/quality of lighting and availability of nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous) in addition to carbon dioxide. You can use a nutrient poor substrate like pool filter sand of gravel if you dose fertilizers for the plants. Or, you can use a nutrient rich substrate such as ADA Amazonia soil and dose fertilizers occasionally.

THANK YOU!! What kind of fertilizers do you suggest?

 

[Bearchumjs]

Also- I live in a desert and when I get all of the fine sand removed I get a neat looking rocky mix. How do I make sure there's no weird germs on it if I want to use it in my tank?

 

[pleechford]

Boil it for about 10 minutes!

 

[Bearchumjs]

I've decided on sand and pebbles from Pebble Beach located o. The Columbia river. I boiled them for 15 minutes and here is the end result. I'll be removing the pink decoration and adding in some driftwood after I get it cleaned up so it has a totally natural look. I am also going to get java moss and a lava rock.