Want to start a planted aquarium need answers?

[bass4lyfe]

I have a 20 gallon fishtank which I want to create into a planted aquarium I dont want a crazzy planted aquarium just a basic one.

*I wanted to do a sand substrate, is gravel better?, and what should I put in the substrate for the plants to grow. ( I want ones I can get at petsmart)

* What type of chemicals should I put in the tank to get started and for the plants to eat.
( I want ones I can get at petsmart)

I just want the basics to start off and give the info on what I have to do.
Thank you.

 

[bbortko]

I had a planted 20g with gravel mixed with laterite and a zoomed twin t5 ho light and it was ok for simple beginner plants. I have since upgraded to a 36g bowfront with play sand instead of gravel and I'm using seachem root tabs instead of the laterite and I'm having much better results, not sure though how of much of the improvement was substrate and how much was the root tabs. For both set-ups I used seachem flourish and seachem flourish excel.

 

[bass4lyfe]

I had a planted 20g with gravel mixed with laterite and a zoomed twin t5 ho light and it was ok for simple beginner plants. I have since upgraded to a 36g bowfront with play sand instead of gravel and I'm using seachem root tabs instead of the laterite and I'm having much better results, not sure though how of much of the improvement was substrate and how much was the root tabs. For both set-ups I used seachem flourish and seachem flourish excel.

I want to put the plant substrate and do I mix it with sand or do i put the sand on top of it will that still work.

 

[bbortko]

I would do a 50/50 mix about 1" deep then add 1" of sand on top.

 

[ronald021]

I have a 10g planted tank using:
seachem flourite black sand, diy CO2 reactor with diffuser, and a regular 15w. Plants seem to be doing ok for the past 6months. I hope to upgrade my lighting though.

 

[Oughtsix]

I like Miracle Grow Organic potting soil with sand or gravel on top of it.