Best substrate

[Ian1357]

What is the best substrate me as a beginner can use in a low tech planted tank?

 

[Colin_T]

Course river sand or fine to medium gravel (1-3mm) is fine for virtually any aquatic plants. Most plants get their nutrients from the water via their leaves. The substrate gives them something to grow roots into and that stops them floating up. If you have 2-3 inches of gravel or sand in the tank, it should be sufficient for the plants.

The main thing with substrate is the type of bottom dwelling fishes you plan on keeping. Some fish like catfish and loaches need a small sized smooth substrate, whereas fishes that live in mid water and don't spend time in contact with the substrate can have virtually anything on the bottom of the tank. Corydoras catfish and many bottom dwelling cichlids like to sieve the sand looking for food particles, so sand is better for these types of fish.

The following link has some basic information about growing aquarium plants and might interest you.

Aquarium Plants 1.01

AQUARIUM PLANTS 1.01 TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF Stress from tank lights coming on when the room is dark can be an issue. Fish don't have eyelids and don't tolerate going from complete dark to bright light (or vice versa) instantly. In the morning open the curtains or turn the room light on at...

www.fishforums.net

 

[GaryE]

I like to use a fine grained pool filter sand. If I buy the local playground sand, half of it washes away in rinsing.

 

[Archerfish]

You mentioned low tech planted tank. What type of plants do you intend to keep? Some of the low light/easy-to-grow plants don't need or can live in virtually any inert substrate. In another post you mentioned keeping Mollies. If that is the case, consider keeping Java fern. If you wild collect your fish, use the substrate from their habitat. Super easy where you live.

 

[Ian1357]

You mentioned low tech planted tank. What type of plants do you intend to keep? Some of the low light/easy-to-grow plants don't need or can live in virtually any inert substrate. In another post you mentioned keeping Mollies. If that is the case, consider keeping Java fern. If you wild collect your fish, use the substrate from their habitat. Super easy where you live.

Thank you, I wasn't awear I could wild catch Mollies here in Cocoa. You learn something new every day. However my catching fish days are over. LOL.

 

[GaryE]

Parts of Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico, have sailfin Poecilia latipinna mollies. But stores have the usual hybrids.
Mollies can be hard on soft plants.

 

[Archerfish]

Oh, I think you would be surprised how easy it is to dipnet them! If I had the time, I would go with you. They are in your area. They will do fine with Java fern which you were asking about in another post. https://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/species_summary/165898