Substrate & Sand Questions

[Crossfire]

I was planning on doing a sand/gravel mixture for my 20 gallon, but I also need substrate to fertilize my plants. Someone once recommended EcoComplete or CaribSea Floramax. Any suggestions on brands of sand or substrate?

 

[fishguy2727]

I wouldn't mix sand and gravel, the gravel will end up on top, it just doesn't work well. Go with all sand, their roots will thank you.

I don't use special plant substrates, and don't think you need to unless you are going with a high tech setup. I use Estes' Ultra Reef and supplement it with Seachem's Flourish Tabs.

This has done well for me:

 

[Crossfire]

I didn't mean completely mixed sand/gravel, i meant like sand with very little gravel thrown on top at a few places in the tank to look like a natural riverbed. I am going for a low-light set-up because the tank i have only has an LED strip so only low-light plants will do. I researched some sand brands and most are for saltwater reefs, which also bump up the pH and I don't want that. I'll look into those brands, thanks Would it really mater if i had special substrate or just sand? And would it matter if i had black "moon" sand? (sorry for all these dumb questions!)

 

[fishguy2727]

That picture is of inert silica based sand, won't mess with any chemistry. Just that and some Flourish Tabs and that's it. It should be fine for a low light setup.

 

[StandbySetting]

Substrate fertilisation is never necessary, it is just beneficial. In high tech set ups as it gives you something to fall back on should you forget to dose your fertilisers.

In a low tech tank the fish will provide adequate nutrients.

However if you want a nutrient rich substrate then you could go for a Cm of clay cat litter and then cap it with 3-4cm of sand. Or you could go for Akadama, it's used as a bonsai substrate but it is safe to use in planted aquaria providing it is washed well.

 

[Crossfire]