fish_4_all
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have come to somewhat of a conculsion when it comes to using standard gravel as a substrate. When I first set up a tank and get it cycled, my plants grow slowly, almost painfully slowly. They mope and grow a little here and there but never really take off. I even add root tabs all through the substrate to try and kick start but it never seems to work. That is until the tanks get to about 6 months old.
Then my plants take off like rockets and it seems like I can grow anything just as well as if I was using Eco or some other fancy plant substrate.
Why is this? Is it the laterite amount building up in the gravel from the root tabs? Could it be that the gravel has to mature and there is a bacteria that needs to colonize that feeds plant roots better? Maybe a nitrogen fixing bacteria? Are there other baceria or components that may simpy take time to extablish themselves that promotes fast plant growth?
I don't know the answers myself, all I know is it works and works well. If I could find granular laterite I would probably use that instead of using root tabs. I think maybe about 1/4 cup of the stuff per 10 gallons. I might have early problem with whatever algae because of the excess iron but if it cuts down the time it takes to get good plant growth it might be worth it.
So those out there that like to use gravel, don't lose hope that your plants will grow. Give them plenty of root tabs, feed them right, give them the right amount of light and you might be able to grow plants as well as some that use Eco sooner or later.
Then my plants take off like rockets and it seems like I can grow anything just as well as if I was using Eco or some other fancy plant substrate.
Why is this? Is it the laterite amount building up in the gravel from the root tabs? Could it be that the gravel has to mature and there is a bacteria that needs to colonize that feeds plant roots better? Maybe a nitrogen fixing bacteria? Are there other baceria or components that may simpy take time to extablish themselves that promotes fast plant growth?
I don't know the answers myself, all I know is it works and works well. If I could find granular laterite I would probably use that instead of using root tabs. I think maybe about 1/4 cup of the stuff per 10 gallons. I might have early problem with whatever algae because of the excess iron but if it cuts down the time it takes to get good plant growth it might be worth it.
So those out there that like to use gravel, don't lose hope that your plants will grow. Give them plenty of root tabs, feed them right, give them the right amount of light and you might be able to grow plants as well as some that use Eco sooner or later.