Substrate Help!

[xander702]

So I am going to set up a beginning plant tank.
Going to try it out in a 5 gallon, as well as a 20 gallon.
If its successful, I'd like to transform my 130 gallon.
Can anybody suggest however, a substrate that isn't too expensive and is good?
I've been looking at baby tears, anything super green, maybe the purple ones. But lets just say baby tears for now.

 

[FLESHY]

Baby tears might not be the best (easiest) place to start as a beginner. But...I might recommend eco-complete.

I have had good growth and a fairly easy experience so far going on three years of being "serious" about this whole planted thing. Started with eco complete and I still have it.

Did not have any issues with any plants not being able to grow it in, algae, or cloudy water.

 

[benzjamin13]

Eco-Complete is relatively cheap and works well.

 

[Jon M]

Good luck with baby tears. I attempted a planted tank on my 10 gallon to see how it would work out. I spent a little under 200$ (50$ on plants) and failed miserably. The reason I'm letting you know this is because I was attempting dwarf baby tears and micro sword to carpet the bottom.

I used Flourite substrate, flourish liquid ferts, T5 lighting on a 4 hour on 1 hour off 4 hour on cycle, and co2 injection and every single plant I spent my money on rotted away to nothing in no time except the sword plants which was the only thing I could get to grow. Since, I've thrown in the towel when it comes to life plants.
GOOD LUCK. I strong recommend starting with something easier than baby tears.

 

[VNCNT]

eco-complete or fluorite.

i suggest using the dry start method with the baby tears. plant your baby tears and keep the water at the level of the substrate and let it root and fill in. once you have a nice carpet, gradually fill you tank and inject co2. that worked for me. also, frequent trimming help to keep the baby tears thick.

 

[xander702]

Baby tears might not be the best (easiest) place to start as a beginner. But...I might recommend eco-complete.

I have had good growth and a fairly easy experience so far going on three years of being "serious" about this whole planted thing. Started with eco complete and I still have it.

Did not have any issues with any plants not being able to grow it in, algae, or cloudy water.

Ok Eco-Complete it is. What other type of plants are there then that resemble baby tears? Although I think I may still try and step up to that challenge!

 

[xander702]

Good luck with baby tears. I attempted a planted tank on my 10 gallon to see how it would work out. I spent a little under 200$ (50$ on plants) and failed miserably. The reason I'm letting you know this is because I was attempting dwarf baby tears and micro sword to carpet the bottom.

I used Flourite substrate, flourish liquid ferts, T5 lighting on a 4 hour on 1 hour off 4 hour on cycle, and co2 injection and every single plant I spent my money on rotted away to nothing in no time except the sword plants which was the only thing I could get to grow. Since, I've thrown in the towel when it comes to life plants.
GOOD LUCK. I strong recommend starting with something easier than baby tears.

WOW!
Thus far I have managed to keep my budget pretty low, so I am pretty happy with that part.

 

[xander702]

eco-complete or fluorite.

i suggest using the dry start method with the baby tears. plant your baby tears and keep the water at the level of the substrate and let it root and fill in. once you have a nice carpet, gradually fill you tank and inject co2. that worked for me. also, frequent trimming help to keep the baby tears thick.

Thanks! Eco-Complete is the choice, however I think I would like to maybe try also fluorite on one side, and maybe a combo of both on the remaining 1/3 of the tank? or just three separate tanks with each of the 3 possibilities?
and again thanks for the tip! I will try that method, being as that is the first set of advice Ive received for baby tears haha.

 

[FLESHY]

I would just go with the eco complete...

I have a thread running on PT right now and the consensus seems to be that the eco is more popular, and although the eco has had few real complaints so far there is a group of people that are fairly strong against the Flourite.

Plants are easy...just read up...do it right the first time.

Love my tank...sitting and watching, trimming and working on it. I have a hard time not working on it. I have to tell myself to keep my hands out and just let it grow every now and then.

 

[Jon M]

WOW!
Thus far I have managed to keep my budget pretty low, so I am pretty happy with that part.

My T5 double bulb light fixture was 100$ alone from bigal's. 24" T5 Aquaticlife.