Substrate

[vfg10]

hi
what is the best Substrate for having a bit of plants??

right now I have vallis, eloedea, h.polisperma and one amazon sword in a 31 gallon tank with only like 1 inche of gravel

I'm planing of getting like some thick sand to give it a more natual look any ideas ?? will this be a good substrate or do I need something under the gravel of sand ??

thanks for the help

 

[razer121]

i use sand, the plants can really root themselfs in it, however some people use cat litter as a base under the sand and from what i read, it is really good for plants

 

[Truck]

Put either, Cat litter or tropica plant substrate under the sand, as the products are made of clay they absorb nutrients and release them over time, just make sure that the cat litter is 100% clay with no additives.

 

[merlinblack]

Put either, Cat litter or tropica plant substrate under the sand, as the products are made of clay they absorb nutrients and release them over time, just make sure that the cat litter is 100% clay with no additives.

organic miracle grow compost (contains no added chemicals) use this as a bottom layer of 1.5" or so then cover with about 2" of gravel. its cheap and it works. The only thing is you neet to do this at the start before you fill the tank etc and take care when filling it to make sure you dont disturb the substrate 9pour onto something eg dinner plate.

 

[famous]

with the plants you have listed a planting substrate isnt specifically necessary, but would help plant growth alot.

 

[vfg10]

Hi
thanks for all the replys
I will check for the cat litter

organic miracle grow compost (contains no added chemicals) use this as a bottom layer of 1.5" or so then cover with about 2" of gravel. its cheap and it works. The only thing is you neet to do this at the start before you fill the tank etc and take care when filling it to make sure you dont disturb the substrate 9pour onto something eg dinner plate.

organic miracle grow compost is for the garden right??
I have found this that it is also organic take a look coconutI think this will work to or will the cat litter be better??

is it necessarily to have like 2,3 inches of gravel or sand??

thanks for the help