Substrate?

[FishieKeeper429]

I have a 5g Betta tank and I want to plant a baby tears carpet on my gravel. I was told that using a good substrate will really help that and I was also told sand complimenting root tabs. If someone could explain root tabs or tell me the best kind of substrate i should use, please reply to this thread. Advie and opinions wanted! Thanks

 

[Rivercats]

Sand can work as well as any commercial aquarium plant substrate. I use Eco Complete in all my tanks and now they have a "fine" grade which is like a larger grained sand.

The difference between sand and commercial plant substrates is that the sand is inert and the commercial substrate has a high CEC, cation exchange capacity, which means it can absorb nutrients from detris and the water and hold them for use by the plants.

Root tabs are fertilizers in a tablet form that you place in the substrate under or close to the roots of the plants.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Sand with root tabs

Root tabs are for plants that are root feeders, meaning that they get their nutrients from their roots, that's what root tabs are for
I like sand, it's compact, so plants will anchor nicely

 

[FishieKeeper429]

So can I still have gravel and use root tabs?

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

You can, but plants like sand better

 

[FishieKeeper429]

You can, but plants like sand better

Well I just got really expensive nice gravel and my mom would kill me if I just throw it out

 

[jetajockey]

The gravel is fine, I don't think the plants are going to care either way as long as you have something down there fertilizing them.

 

[Coursair]

I have a 5g Betta tank and I want to plant a baby tears carpet on my gravel. I was told that using a good substrate will really help that and I was also told sand complimenting root tabs. If someone could explain root tabs or tell me the best kind of substrate i should use, please reply to this thread. Advie and opinions wanted! Thanks

The main issues ;
Dwarf Baby Tears aka HC ( HEMIANTHUS CALLITRICHOIDES )
will have trouble rooting in gravel. You can buy it pre grown as a carpet on mesh and cut it to fit. But keeping it rooted will be difficult.

HC is a high light plant. Unless you have correct lighting , CO2 and Ferts, it will just die AFAIK or at least fail to thrive.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...ails.php?id=51&category=genus&spec=Hemianthus

There are lots of articles here and on APC and The Planted Tank about HC and how to be successful.

 

[FishieKeeper429]

The main issues ;
Dwarf Baby Tears aka HC ( HEMIANTHUS CALLITRICHOIDES )
will have trouble rooting in gravel. You can buy it pre grown as a carpet on mesh and cut it to fit. But keeping it rooted will be difficult.

HC is a high light plant. Unless you have correct lighting , CO2 and Ferts, it will just die AFAIK or at least fail to thrive.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=51&category=genus&spec=Hemianthus

There are lots of articles here and on APC and The Planted Tank about HC and how to be successful.

Wow thanks for all the info and links! I really appreciate it. I will defiantly educate myself before I buy any