Live Plant Substrate And Feeding

[jackrmee]

Hi all, 
I am setting up my tank again. Just done the cycle and want to put some plants in. I always had artificial, but I want to do it properly this time.

I picked up a couple of plants from pets at home and the guy told me to get a bag of this soil type stuff. He said they thrive in it and will die if I dont get it.

My questions are:

What's the best stuff to plant them in?
Do I put the substrate in some sort of pot, or just pour it onto the bottom of the tank?


Thanks

 

[BaylorPerez]

depends on what the substrate is. If its in a pot already then put the plant into the pot, if not then, dig a little hole and put your plant in it, then add the (pets at home substrate in around the plant, just make sure your fish dont uproot the plant like mine did today

 

[Zante]

Depends also on the plants. To be honest I wouldn't trust the advice from Pets at Home unless I know the person knows what they're talking about.
 
If you tell us what plants you bought and what soil stuff you're talking about we can give you some more sensible advice.

 

[jackrmee]

Depends also on the plants. To be honest I wouldn't trust the advice from Pets at Home unless I know the person knows what they're talking about.
 
If you tell us what plants you bought and what soil stuff you're talking about we can give you some more sensible advice.

Unfortunately, I haven't got a clue what plants I bought. I just asked the guy to pick any ones. Oops.

Here's the "substrate stuff" haha. (I'll try and be more specific in future, sorry).
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/fish/fish-tank-ornaments--plants-and-gravel/fish-tank-plants/tropica-plant-growth-substrate

 

[Zante]

If you post a picture we'll most probably be able to tell you what plants they are and what they need.
 
As for the substrate, that would go under the sand/gravel. If you want to save some money on the sand with which to cover that substrate consider the Argos play sand. It's silica sand, so it won't change your water parameters and it's perfectly fish safe (my corys love it). It's also a LOT cheaper than "aquarium" sand: £2.99 for 15kg.

 

[Byron]

My first comment is, that live plants will grow very well in regular sand or fine gravel without any "soil" or enriched substrate material.  Having said that, Tropica is a reputable brand for this so you can use it if you bought it, but frankly I would not buy it now if you haven't already.  If you do have it, you will have to tear the tank down, add the layer of "soil," then cap it with a layer of sand or fine gravel.  However, you should plant the plants before adding the cap layer; planting any plants after is going to really make a mess and mix the substrates.
 
As Zante mentioned it, I will second his recommendation for play sand.  Here in NA I don't have the Argos, I use Quikrete Play Sand, but I assume "play sand" is much the same.  I changed all my tanks over to play sand and it has been ideal.  It is very smooth so no issues for substrate fish.
 
Byron.