Planted Tank Substrate

[mharris5]

Hi,

I am setting up my first planted tank, having bought one of Ebay. The tank has come with a substrate heater, and Co2 injection kit. I intend to use sand (silver) as a top layer substrate in the tank, with a few patches of gravel, and some pebbles to make it look like a river bed. I have heard various rumours that you can use pure clay 'cat litter', and other people say use laterite. Can you tell me what is best, the amount I need for a 400l tank, what depth to use, and any iron supplements or fertilizers you reccomend. Any help will be very much appreciated.

 

[Truck]

Don't bother with the substrate heater, its a waste of time.

Clay cat litter makes a brilliant substrate, I use it as do other members and it works a treat, it absorbs nutrients over time and then releases them slowly making them available to plants. A 1cm layer all around the tank will work perfectly.

 

[Nick16]

the think is, the best and the cheapest are at totally different ends of the scales.

some substrates you can pay £5 for 15kg others you can pay £35 for 9kg.

 

[mandi]

Clay cat litter makes a brilliant substrate, I use it as do other members and it works a treat, it absorbs nutrients over time and then releases them slowly making them available to plants. A 1cm layer all around the tank will work perfectly.

Wow, really!? I've been out of the hobby for a couple years and am now just getting back into it, and I hadn't read that before!

 

[aly_starh]

I had to re-do my whole tank, due to the catlitter causing a mess! I am now using play sand, with lots of fertiliser tablets, which will be topped with slate

 

[Truck]

Clay cat litter makes a brilliant substrate, I use it as do other members and it works a treat, it absorbs nutrients over time and then releases them slowly making them available to plants. A 1cm layer all around the tank will work perfectly.

Wow, really!? I've been out of the hobby for a couple years and am now just getting back into it, and I hadn't read that before!

yeah, as long as you don't disturb the capping substrate when filling up you'll be fine.