What Substrate

[darrene]

what substrate do you use

 

[JamesC]

I'd vote but there is no option for what I use which is inert quartz sand.

James

 

[darrene]

I'd vote but there is no option for what I use which is inert quartz sand.

James

their is now

 

[darrene]

with aqua soil i take it you still have to cover with gravel??

 

[backley420]

I wouldnt spend the money on that fancy substrate.......

 

[darrene]

I wouldnt spend the money on that fancy substrate.......

then what would substrate would you spend the money on

 

[backley420]

silicoin blasting sand is what i use and it looks real nice

 

[darrene]

do the plants grow well in that stuff

 

[chr15_8]

i use tropica

they only stuff i have used and will be using again as im happy with it


chris

 

[backley420]

do the plants grow in that stuff

oooooooo your using plants.... no it dosent

 

[darrene]

do the plants grow in that stuff

oooooooo your using plants.... no it dosent

thats why its posted in Plants and Planted Tanks

 

[xxBarneyxx]

do the plants grow in that stuff

oooooooo your using plants.... no it dosent

thats why its posted in Plants and Planted Tanks

LMAO that was funny You dont need any gravel/sand over the ADa soil but you should use ADA power sand under the soil. Its expensive but does the job well and looks good. I hear a lot of good things about the tropica substrates as well. I guess it also depends on what plants you have and how you are going to dose.

 

[darrene]

what is the best value for money out of tetra and tropica

 

[JamesC]

No need for ADA Power Sand, just ADA marketing. But if you're following ADA to the letter then by all means use it. ADA Aqua Soil is designed not to be covered.

Best value for money IMO is plain quartz sand and column dosing. Even that blasting sand will grow plants fine. Otherwise if going for a nutrient rich substrate don't try to save a couple of pounds but get what is best for your needs.

Best for nutritional value is ADA AS but will start to look messy if you like to uproot and move plants around a lot. In which case Eco Complete is better as it doesn't crumble as easily, as long as you like black substrates. Tropica's offering is designed to be covered with sand/gravel and is supposed to be very good but if lots of uprooting is done then the two layers will mix making it look c**p. Relatively cheap to use.

James

 

[Rhea]

I have aquasoil amazonia (also using ADA ferts) in one tank and florabase in another. Really wish I hadn't used the florabase as the colour doesn't show the plants off well. Would like to try the tropica substrate if it gets good reviews.