When I started my tank in November, I knew nothing about planted aquariums. The LFS sold me black gravel (I picked it because it looked good) and said it would be fine for plants. Truth be told, it does seem to be ok, but I just don't like the look of it -- doesn't look as natural as I think sand would. Would like to change to a finer grain, sandy substrate. I have seen some black sand substrates out there, I think one of them is made by ADA.
1. Does it matter/will my plants do better in a sandy substrate? It certainly seems like planting in a sand substrate would be easier... especially for the fine roots of my rotala and moneywort.
2. What effect will changing the substrate have on my tank (being that everything seems to be going well at this point)?
3. How would I go about changing the substrate?
4. I would like to make the bottom more "3D". How can I get the substrate built up so that it slopes and curves, without just having it flatten back out?
Thanks all!
1. Does it matter/will my plants do better in a sandy substrate? It certainly seems like planting in a sand substrate would be easier... especially for the fine roots of my rotala and moneywort.
2. What effect will changing the substrate have on my tank (being that everything seems to be going well at this point)?
3. How would I go about changing the substrate?
4. I would like to make the bottom more "3D". How can I get the substrate built up so that it slopes and curves, without just having it flatten back out?
Thanks all!