substrate or no substrate

[fishydave]

Hi. I've kept fish for around 15 years so have expierience in them. My Current tank at the moment is a 4ft , 160 ltr which is a community tank. At the moment I am thinkin of a remodel. I like having live plants but they just don't seem to last. I was thinking of stripping the tank, removing the gravel and putting a substrate in.Any ideas on good substrate and do anyone else have problems with plants in a graveled tank ?

[CraigRets]

I have lots of plants in gravel....What type of plants were they are what was your set-up?

[bud29]

What were your plants, your fertilizing regimen, and lighting levels? Plants generally don't flat out die just because of the substrate, I would guess that you have inadequate lighting or fertilization. Plants do prefer more nutrient-rich substrates than gravel, however putting them in gravel shouldn't really kill them.