Best Substrate For Plants

[TheRedDarren]

Hi all,
I've acquired a tank, (200l) so I need to find a good substrate for my planted project. Has to be very fine for cory's and ram's to sift through.
I want an amazon biotope type set-up, so preferably and dark or black substrate which will be good for a moderately planted system. Fairly low maintenance, so I'm not doing massive water changes and loads of pruning weekly. Also will be using C02.
I've just seen the JBL manado, but some say it's not all that, then there is Colombo florabase, I don't know owt about that, or use an under substrate and top with black sand...
Any ideas from your experience?
Cheers guys.
D.

 

[Jamepsss]

Hi all,
I've acquired a tank, (200l) so I need to find a good substrate for my planted project. Has to be very fine for cory's and ram's to sift through.
I want an amazon biotope type set-up, so preferably and dark or black substrate which will be good for a moderately planted system. Fairly low maintenance, so I'm not doing massive water changes and loads of pruning weekly. Also will be using C02.
I've just seen the JBL manado, but some say it's not all that, then there is Colombo florabase, I don't know owt about that, or use an under substrate and top with black sand...
Any ideas from your experience?
Cheers guys.
D.

I'm currently using a Caribsea black sand & Eco Complete mix. The colour is great but the Eco complete is more of a fine gravel than sand. I've had success with JBL aquabasis capped with sand in the past.

 

[RadaR]

Low maitenance and CO2 doesnt really work. If you use CO2 then you should be doing large weekly water changes due to the increased metabollic waste from the plants themselves. Most "all in one" substrates dont look good when mixed with other substrates. Most amazon biotopes have little plant matter.

 

[TheRedDarren]

Yea, I was thinking that amazon biotope is a bit extreme, a south american planted setup would be more accurate.

 

[RadaR]

Some inspiration

Link1
Link2
Link3

 

[minnnt]

Low maitenance and CO2 doesnt really work. If you use CO2 then you should be doing large weekly water changes due to the increased metabollic waste from the plants themselves. Most "all in one" substrates dont look good when mixed with other substrates. Most amazon biotopes have little plant matter.

+1. Great advice.

 

[TheRedDarren]

Some inspiration

Link1
Link2
Link3

Thanks mate, very inspiring!