Substrate for 75g planted

[Confidence]

Hey guys my LFS recommends i use this black substrate that they have which gives the plants there nutritants, but currently i have sand.

now before i plant my plants is sand good enough for a planted tank or should i buy the substrate my LFS recommends? i know the plants wont grow as quick thats fine, i plan to use liquid nutriants.

Also do i absolutely NEED a heater for a planted tank?

If so what should the temp be?

What liquid nutrients do you recommend that is unharmful to fish?

 

[dudey]

what kind of lights are you using and are you planning on using co2??

I first used just play sand but all I grew was some amazons swords, anubias, and java ferns etc.. easy plants.

I then switched to eco complete plant substrate and noticed a huge difference (the new lights and co2 helped as well).

You can use the florish line for ferts, and excel for a carbon source if you are not using co2 but it will get expensive fast.

I use dry fertilizers which are so much cheaper than the commercial liquid ferts like florish. I bought a package with the essentials about a year and half ago and just now had to purchase more and I dose every day for a 75g tank.

I bought mine from greenleaf aquarium

http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/index.html

thats the site if you are interested.

 

[Confidence]

what kind of lights are you using and are you planning on using co2??

I first used just play sand but all I grew was some amazons swords, anubias, and java ferns etc.. easy plants.

I then switched to eco complete plant substrate and noticed a huge difference (the new lights and co2 helped as well).

You can use the florish line for ferts, and excel for a carbon source if you are not using co2 but it will get expensive fast.

I use dry fertilizers which are so much cheaper than the commercial liquid ferts like florish. I bought a package with the essentials about a year and half ago and just now had to purchase more and I dose every day for a 75g tank.

I bought mine from greenleaf aquarium

http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/index.html

thats the site if you are interested.

thanks for info im going non c02 4 40 watt bulbs 120 volts / 60 hz, would u recommend substrate then if i plan on not using c02? i mean i dont care to much about how fast they grow, also what about a heater, is a heater a must in a planted tank