Substrate Or What?

[barryJ]

Hi, I'm now back to fish keeping after several years away bringing up children etc.
I notice that "things" have changed a lot especially light quality.
I had no problems with my previous setups.
Now I read that what I called gravel is now substrate.
Anyway I have a second hand Juwel 180 Vision with two grades of black "substrate". There are two grades now after I removed it and gave it a good clean.
I was going to put vthe fine in first topped off with the coarser grade.
But, having read the books that came with the tank, there is a suggestion of putting "soil" under the gravel to assist plant growth.
I have a large bag of pond "soil". This is low in nutrients and will not cloud the water.
Is it okay to use this under the gravel or not bother at all?

Thanks for reading, all help appreciated.
Barry

 

[Tizer]

i'm sure its fine to use and then cap it with gravel, but if you ever move plants around, expect a mess.

 

[fluttermoth]

Now I read that what I called gravel is now substrate.

That's because not everybody uses gravel now!

Lots of people have sand or one of the special ones for plants

 

[barryJ]

Thanks for the swift responses.
The after effects of moving plants was a concern.
I never had any problems growing plants before so I might just stick with the two grades that I have.
I can always use plant feed tablets in the substrate for anything special.

 

[Easy]

Thanks for the swift responses.
The after effects of moving plants was a concern.
I never had any problems growing plants before so I might just stick with the two grades that I have.
I can always use plant feed tablets in the substrate for anything special.

If it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[Aqua Tom]

Thanks for the swift responses.
The after effects of moving plants was a concern.
I never had any problems growing plants before so I might just stick with the two grades that I have.
I can always use plant feed tablets in the substrate for anything special.

If it ain't broke don't fix it

+1

 

[OldMan47]

You bet it is OK to use a bit of potting soil under a cap of fine gravel or coarse sand. That is how I started this tank about 3 years before I took the picture.

As you can see, the plants propagate well in that layer of soil.

 

[Madhousephil]

Do plants last well in little pots?
Or would it be best to put a layer of soil and if so what type and how deep?

 

[fluttermoth]

You need to take them out of the pots, and get as much of the rockwool off as you can (doing it under a running tap helps).

I wouldn't bother with anything under the sand. Most aquatic pants take in nutrients through their leaves and will grow just fine in your substrate.