New and cycling tank

[Caniver]

View attachment 84039 Hi im Jake, I just recently got into this hobby abiut 2 momths ago. I currently have a 10 gallon tank with 2 platy and several fry with artificial plants. I'm upgrading to a 20 gallon soon and I'm planning on getting some basic plants like amazon swords and cabombas. I've done research thats said gravel isnt fitting for plants and i'm planning on getting substrate. I was wondering which brand i should get. And should I get gravel ontop of the shbstrate or can I just leave it? Thanks in advance

 

[fluttermoth]

If you're only having basic plants then just gravel is fine, although things like Amazon swords would appreciate root tabs.

 

[StevenF]

Gravel will work well for plants. special plant substrates or dirt does work for plant substrate but any nutrients they have will be gone in about a year. Special plant substrates generally work best with plant fertilizer (which you may or may not need). Sand and Gravel are the most commonly used substrates used in planted tanks.

Success or failure with plants is mainly about adequate light, macro, and micro (trace) nutrients. If these are all present your plants will do well. If any one is not present or in insufficient amounts plants generally don't do well or die. Some people have tap water with all the macro and micro trace nutrients they need. Others don't and need fertilizer. For now just try it out without fertilizer. If you have problems make a new post asking for advice. For basic information on macro and trace nutrients read the following:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_nutrition


I would just go out and by some plants to try. But before you add them to the tank put them in a clear container for a while to check for pest snails . (pond snails) or unwanted pests. Some people like snails while others don't and sometimes pond snails will overpopulate a tank making it look unsightly. Removing pond snails is very difficult one they are established. If you don't see any snails on the plant after about a week add it to the aquarium. Some people dip new plants in a salt water or bleach solution to nock off or kill them right alert purchase. Once pond snails get into a tank they are very hard to remove if you decide you don't want them.

 

[Caniver]

Okay thanks a lot I will do that