Substrate

[Coot]

Another question for everyone. This should be a little more straightforward I think. I currently have natural looking aquarium gravel as the substrate in a tank I’m planning to overhaul. Is it imperative that I get a specialty plant substrate, or will this do for growing most plants?

 

[Fishman Dave]

Personally I believe the fine gravel works well for many plants, but does depend on which you are trying to grow. Some will take most nutrients out of the water and aerial roots and for those you can add fertiliser and others through roots, for which you can add root tabs. With good lights you can get good growth without specialised substrate.

 

[kno4te]

I prefer sand over the gravel just to make less work for the roots. But that’s just me but agree with fishman Dave that the fertz and lighting are another component. Depends on the plant too.

 

[Coot]

Thanks guys. I do like the look of sand in some tanks. Is it more difficult to clean than gravel? My gravel is about pea sized. Is that too big? Seems like it may be pushing it. I’ll take a look at what kinds of plant substrates are out there. I want to get this right

 

[Fishman Dave]

Pea size is too big in my opinion you want the finest they do. More like 2-4 mm than 8-10mm if that’s what pea size is.

 

[Coot]

Sounds good. I’ll find something to replace it with

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I ran a high light. pressurized CO@ planted tank with Estes Bit Of Walnuts substrate for a decade. There was no plant I could not grow, I had dwarf hair grass, baby tears and swords and everything in between.