Which Substrate? (yawn!)

[planter]

So im starting my new planted aquarium I got myself a pressurised co2 system with a nice four lamp luminaire . So my tank sits empty waiting to be filled meantime I cant make my mind up on which substrate to use ! . Have been recomended Seachems Flourite and have read loads abuot ADA stuff what about Red sea flora base any one using it? wanna get it right from the start. Any advice welcome .

 

[Gnatfish]

So im starting my new planted aquarium I got myself a pressurised co2 system with a nice four lamp luminaire . So my tank sits empty waiting to be filled meantime I cant make my mind up on which substrate to use ! . Have been recomended Seachems Flourite and have read loads abuot ADA stuff what about Red sea flora base any one using it? wanna get it right from the start. Any advice welcome .

Lots of people here would recommend ADA Aqua Soil However that is quite costly.

I personally haven't heard much about Flourite, more experienced people should come along soon. But as i said, they will probably recommend ADA stuff.

I remember looking at a ADA website, and it said a base layer of ADA Power Sand with ADA Aqua Soil worked well, but its their product so they would say that.

Have a look at this post

I personally have ordered some Tetra Compost stuff because its cheap and works.

EDIT: Eco-Complete is also ment to be great! It's a hard choice and depends quite alot on your budget and water chemistry. Some people have had great success with just gravel and laterite! By the way is your name Chris?

Hope that helps

Nathan

 

[craynerd]

Pressurised Co2 and a nice 4 lamp luminare. You have a mean setup.
I`d certainly look into the ADA As range.

Chris

 

[Themuleous]

Yep if you can afford it then ADA is the way forward, and actually doesn't work at that much more expensive once you start looking into it.

As Chris says, the other stuff you have it pretty top notch so might as well splash out on the ADA soil. If you're got lighting and CO2 and the tank then you've got the expensive bits, the rest should be relatively cheap.

Sam

 

[danski]

ive used eco-complete from the beginning of my aquascaping attempt and never had any problems..my plants grow hardy and deep green..i can see the root systems nice and strong against my glass with my dwarf sag,and would reccomend it if you dont go for the ADA stuff..its about 20usd a bag where i live..i cant afford the ADA stuff so i can only say its a great alternative in my opinion..