Aquarium Substrate

[scottward]

Hi. I am currently using plain gravel in my planted tank as the substrate. I would like to enrich it a bit. Rather than taking it out and completely replacing it with something like Seachem Flourite (or similar), has anybody had any experience mixing a proper plant substrate with plain gravel? Does it work just as well or do you really need to have 100% proper substrate (i.e. get rid of the plain gravel?).

Scott.

 

[Themuleous]

I've mix substrate in two of my tanks. One is eco-complete, gravel and laterite, the other is gravel and laterite. I can't really see any problems with mixing substrates. OK its not going to be as good as having a 100% plant substrate but its a happy compromise as far as I can see.

If you are just running a low tech tank and just want to help he plants out a bit laterite would fit the bill.. Just wash it and mix into gravel you have at present. But its up to you really.

Sam