Plants in gravel possible

[Fresh2o]

What they're describing is opposite effect, in that they ran into this issue with larger gravel rather than with smaller gravel or sand. One of the more resent books on the hobby, Ecology of the Planted Aquarium (2003) by Diana Walstad, advocates a dirt and sand substrate.

My bad, I just re-read the post. Was focused on the part about the substrate becoming clay-like and remembered something I read in a book.

 

[Coursair]

I read about this but its the first time hearing about it on this forum. It was mentioned in a book called "The Optimum Aquarium" by Kasper Horst and Horst Kipper in 1986.

This was also after the tank ran 11 YEARS.
I mess with mine at least once every 10 years, so I think I'm safe.