Substrate...

[McCool]

My planted tank is slowly coming together. I've gotten the filter and lights figured out, but the substrate is a different story!
The tank is a 4ft 55 gallon with sand. My planted five gallon use to have sand, and I have come to find that planting things in sand is like trying to drown an inflated beach ball. Impossible. No matter how deep I made the sand, roots were always everywhere. I refuse to go through that again. I recently switched from sand to Eco Complete in my 5 gallon, and I really liked it as far as ease of planting goes. I can't say I've noticed a huge change in my plants, other than a small algae bloom though.
Anyways, I need to switch substrate in my 55 gallon. And I'm on a pretty tight budget. The tank has two T5 39 Watt daylight bulbs, and no Co2. I want something that's easy to plant in, and will offer some type of nutrients to my plants. I have loaches, so nothing too sharp. It also needs to be dark in color.
Any suggestions?

 

[McCool]

Not related to substrate, but I didnt want to make a new topic...

With my current lighting, and no CO2, what plants would I be able to grow? Low light plants? Moderate? I was aiming for moderate, not sure if I made it though. Depending on what substrate I decide on, and I guess I could do ferts, how much would those two things help? I also wanted some type of floating plant, something with long roots. Suggestions there? Sorry for the scattered questions, just didnt want too make two threads! Im fairly new to plants. My 5 gallon is near a window, so nothing high tech there as far as growing plants. Just put stuff in there and it grows!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

From what I've read Eco complete isn't a bad substrate, I have heard it stalling cycles but I don't know how true that is. As far as lighting goes you are in the low ish light bracket but if your wanting to grow more advanced plants you could with CO2 injected as T5's give a bit more flexibility. I'd defo get some trace ferts if going low tech tho as the substrate will run out at some point.

 

[McCool]

From what I've read Eco complete isn't a bad substrate, I have heard it stalling cycles but I don't know how true that is. As far as lighting goes you are in the low ish light bracket but if your wanting to grow more advanced plants you could with CO2 injected as T5's give a bit more flexibility. I'd defo get some trace ferts if going low tech tho as the substrate will run out at some point.

Honestly, CO2 scares the crud outta me. I really know nothing about it. Is it hard to manage? I have watched a video or two on the fire extinguisher method...
Any certain ferts you recommend?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well the ones available here are different to the states, if using no CO2 then seachem flourish is a trace mix. If going CO2 then you'll need their phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen ferts along with the flourish. CO2 is easy to manage providing you research it well and asking others on here is a good start, the kit you use makes a huge difference too, such as the method of diffusion and the regulator you use. The bottle makes no odds really, fire extinguishers are better IMO as they're huge in comparison to kit bottles.

 

[McCool]

Well the ones available here are different to the states, if using no CO2 then seachem flourish is a trace mix. If going CO2 then you'll need their phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen ferts along with the flourish. CO2 is easy to manage providing you research it well and asking others on here is a good start, the kit you use makes a huge difference too, such as the method of diffusion and the regulator you use. The bottle makes no odds really, fire extinguishers are better IMO as they're huge in comparison to kit bottles.

Maybe ill look into it a bit. Thank you for the help!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

No worries.