Plany substrate

[cichlid_tank619]

Know this is going to sound stupid but I just want to ask a straight forward question to all of you with planted tank experience.. I have been reading about the different kinds of dirt (substrate) to use in a planted tank. The question is, is there any type of dirt I can buy at a local home improvement store ( home depot or lowes) that will work in my tank to grow common ferns, mainly swords? I also am going to add a few frontosa with out killing them. Has anyone done this?

I have a 40gallon tall tank, T5 HO light (6500k), fluval 305, substrate unknown yet and river as a cap. Want to keep it simple, a few fonts, some drift wood, live plants a m some air stone.

Thanks guys.. I'm new and don't want to
F**k up and or kill fish.

 

[Gboy66]

I cant help with dirt tanks, but i used eco complete and it is great!

 

[tiger terror]

Flourite&Eco-Complete are both great subs..why are you worried about killing fish? Is it a question about cycling?Actually botg the subs recommended look really natural without a cap...

 

[Bl414]

I have a 25g dirt tank and it's going nuts. I use miracle grow organic potting mix and then a gravel cap. Make sure that the dirt is the organic kind. Also look on YouTube for dustinsfishtanks, he's the dirt king and will show you everything you need to know.

 

[cichlid_tank619]

Flourite&Eco-Complete are both great subs..why are you worried about killing fish? Is it a question about cycling?Actually botg the subs recommended look really natural without a cap...

I just thought if you used something like miracle grown potting soil (for garden use) it might have something toxic in it that would kill fish.

 

[Bl414]

Nah as long as it's the organic potting mix. It doesn't have any chemical fertilizers or anything like that in it.