Gravel Susbstate

[zephyr]

hello im planning to have a low maintenance planted tank which will consist of only, anubias barteri var. nana, anubias coffeefolia, and crypts. i have no special substrate such as ADA soils for example, so i am using plain gravel as substrate. Thats right plain gravel only because my tank has been established for nearly 2 years. The gravel ranges from 2mm-4mm in size and is about 2inches high.

tank specs
size:4ft x 1.5ft x 1ft
lighting: 2x 40w 6500k
Co2 : DIY
inhabitants - 17congo tetra, 6 SAE

will this subtrate be enough for the plants that i plan to keep?

 

[Fwapp]

I also have (at the moment) normal gravel, and I've a few of the plants you mention. They have grown well with twice weekly trace dosing and Nutrafin CO2. So you should be fine.

I think a plant based substrate is more for growing more demading plants and giving a constant supply of nutrients to the plants. They also tend to need replacing (once a year or so)

It all depends how much you want to get into plants, really.

 

[netcode]

that substrate will be fine... what you could do however is put some root tabs in around the plants. It is always beneficial

 

[zephyr]

I also have (at the moment) normal gravel, and I've a few of the plants you mention. They have grown well with twice weekly trace dosing and Nutrafin CO2. So you should be fine.

I think a plant based substrate is more for growing more demading plants and giving a constant supply of nutrients to the plants. They also tend to need replacing (once a year or so)

It all depends how much you want to get into plants, really.

i jstu plan on a low level plantation so my fishies have lots of free swimming space

 

[zephyr]

am i overstocked for this type of setup? (taking consideration 3/4 of the substrate will b covered in anubias)

 

[netcode]

am i overstocked for this type of setup? (taking consideration 3/4 of the substrate will b covered in anubias)

overstocked in terms of fish???

if so I would say no.. plants only aid the situation too as they act as a second "filter"

 

[zephyr]

cool cool thanks alot. one last Q, should i bother adding/mixing peat or some sort of other plant growing substrate??
how high should my gravel be for my plants that im going to use?

 

[netcode]

cool cool thanks alot. one last Q, should i bother adding/mixing peat or some sort of other plant growing substrate??
how high should my gravel be for my plants that im going to use?

You can add whatever substrate you want, and yes I would recommend it. As to what you will mix with it thats really up to you. There are some good topics regarding that on the forum, just have a search.

You should have about 3 inches of gravel to plant.