Planted Aquarium Substrate

[arif_93]

i have a aqua qube 40 33x33x40 cm
im using it as a planted aquarium but im trying to do this without any co2
i have looked on aquaessentials for substrate and i am stuck choosing between jbl aquaessentials 2.5l or ADA aquasoil amazonia 3 litres (normal)
also i need to know a gd carpeting plant that can survive without co2 and will not need to be tied down
thanks

 

[Themuleous]

ADA AS reduces the KH of the water which reduces pH, there is also a massive NH3 spike for the first few weeks when you add it. Best avoided. Not used JBL, but its gets fairly good reviews. Do you realise you top it with gravel? Why do try eco-complete thats an excellent substrate and you dont need to top it with gravel.

Sam

 

[arif_93]

ADA AS reduces the KH of the water which reduces pH, there is also a massive NH3 spike for the first few weeks when you add it. Best avoided. Not used JBL, but its gets fairly good reviews. Do you realise you top it with gravel? Why do try eco-complete thats an excellent substrate and you dont need to top it with gravel.

Sam

what happen is you dont top the jbl aquabasis or anyothers with gravel will this be a problem not putting gravel on top

 

[arif_93]

ADA AS reduces the KH of the water which reduces pH, there is also a massive NH3 spike for the first few weeks when you add it. Best avoided. Not used JBL, but its gets fairly good reviews. Do you realise you top it with gravel? Why do try eco-complete thats an excellent substrate and you dont need to top it with gravel.

Sam

what happen is you dont top the jbl aquabasis or anyothers with gravel will this be a problem not putting gravel on top

this is what im gonna do im gonna use jbl aquabasis 2.5l and then onto im going to add Hagen Natural Beach Gravel - Black - 2 kg will this be ok for my planted tank??

 

[Maximumbob]

if i was going for a planted substrate that need at topping of gravel I would go for the tropica substrate. I've heard lots of good things about it.

 

[dannowittmorris]

if i was going for a planted substrate that need at topping of gravel I would go for the tropica substrate. I've heard lots of good things about it.

Try Eco complete, its a nice black colour and looks stunning with a black backdrop and bright fish such as neon tetra.

 

[nry]

I've used both EcoComplete and JBL AquaBasis Plus (topped with gravel).

EcoComplete is simple, pour in, plant and away you go: no cleaning gravel etc. My only 'issue' with EcoComplete is that it is very very lightweight: it is easily disturbed though it doesn't cloud the water when disturbed so this is not too bad. If you plan to add any larger fish that will burrow/disturb the gravel then unless you give plants ages to root and settle-in you may find the plants get easily uprooted.

I am debating re-scaping my JBL-based tank in a month or so: I am torn between using EcoComplete again (as the dark black/grey colour really sets off fish and plants) or going for Tropica Plant Substrate alongside some of the same black gravel you mention (which doesn't appear to be as dark as EcoComplete though). I have some cory which I think would possibly uproot plants from the EcoComplete so at the moment I am swaying towards Tropica+gravel.

I think the Tropica product probably gives a better all-round nutrient supply, though this is based on my own thoughts and not actual knowledge!

 

[arif_93]

I've used both EcoComplete and JBL AquaBasis Plus (topped with gravel).

EcoComplete is simple, pour in, plant and away you go: no cleaning gravel etc. My only 'issue' with EcoComplete is that it is very very lightweight: it is easily disturbed though it doesn't cloud the water when disturbed so this is not too bad. If you plan to add any larger fish that will burrow/disturb the gravel then unless you give plants ages to root and settle-in you may find the plants get easily uprooted.

I am debating re-scaping my JBL-based tank in a month or so: I am torn between using EcoComplete again (as the dark black/grey colour really sets off fish and plants) or going for Tropica Plant Substrate alongside some of the same black gravel you mention (which doesn't appear to be as dark as EcoComplete though). I have some cory which I think would possibly uproot plants from the EcoComplete so at the moment I am swaying towards Tropica+gravel.

I think the Tropica product probably gives a better all-round nutrient supply, though this is based on my own thoughts and not actual knowledge!

what colour is the jbl aquabasis and will it look ok topped with hagen black gravel