Substrate

[masonjonny]

Hi guys I’m looking at doing a planted tank ...
What substrate would you guys recommend ?

 

[Aiken Drum]

What type of plants are you planning on? A low tech tank set up will be fine with sand or gravel. Some plants don't need a substrate at all as they either float in the water or attach to rock or driftwood.

Link to video going through some low tech type plants.

https://youtu.be/DpOVZEhBQ2c

 

[Caliban07]

Gravel or soil capped with gravel would be my recommendation.

 

[masonjonny]

Hi I have co2 already to go .......
Plant wise I’ve not looked into yet ......
I just don’t want to waste money on substrate that isn’t good further down the line

 

[masonjonny]

Gravel or soil capped with gravel would be my recommendation.

Any brands you would recommend ...

I was looking at Darnell scapers

 

[Caliban07]

Any brands you would recommend ...

I was looking at Darnell scapers

Just dirt. Topsoil or the like. No particular brand. Organic would be better.

 

[Delapool]

I use seachem flourite clay which I have mixed with gravel, the pelletised clays or laterite clays. Heaps out there. I do just start with inert clays though which take time to build up with humus.

People here use clay sands fine although I also find dirt is outstanding for results.

If a large tank and large rooted plants then I find I get better results with thicker substrate. Expensive but only have to set up once.

 

[eon aquatics]

i dont like substrate very much, i would plant them in a small flowerpot

 

[masonjonny]

Thanks I’ve just seen CaribSea eco complete ....
Just looking into this ....
The tank is a 4x2 .
Want it a little higher at the back