How Long Do Plant Substrates Last For

[donkey]

Hi guys
how long do plant substrates last for . the kind that goes under the sand . are they only good for about 6 months or do they help feed the plants for years .

 

[kamel_007]

if you use substrate with liquid together and regularely.. you can save substrate for a year or maybe more.
but it depends on your plants grow speed, of course when you use CO2 your plants will grow fast and will needs ferts a lot..

it's only my mind.. mybe other people would help you more than me!

BYE!!!

 

[JamesC]

There are many factors that affect how long they last. The ones that spring to mind are how good is the substrate is to start with. How much light you have - the more light the quicker the plants grow and the quicker nutrients get used up. Water column dosing will also extend the substrate life as plants will take nutrients from the water and substrate. What plants you have and how many - some are hungry feeders. Very generally speaking I'd say a substrate lasts about 1 year + or - 6 months. There are exceptions to the rule though.

James

 

[donkey]

so after say about a year .how do the root feeders feed ? will they live with just whats in the Water column ? or would you need to add root tabs .what im trying to say is . is it worth adding a plant substrate in the first place .or would it be better just to plant in sand and add root tabs as needed .

 

[JamesC]

You'll need to add root tabs and liquid fertilisers to keep the plants going. Nutrient rich substrates are of great benefit in the first few months of a planted tank as they provide the plant's nutrients whilst keeping the water column relatively lean and so helping to prevent algae. You can do it in sand but you just have to be better at dosing. I just use plain quartz sand as I refuse to pay £100 plus for a substrate that has a limited life of possibly a year.

James