I am also looking for a substrate the person at Aquaessentials has recommended Ferka Aquabase.
see below for Information at 11.99 for a 250g bag this is not bad or £36 if you have many nutrient hungry species such as Cryptocoryne or Echinodorus
Aquabase is a natural material, which is ideal for setting up a planted aquarium. It builds up the excellent nutritional environment for your tank substrate, and makes it easy for aquatic plants to adapt themselves when they were initially transplanted. In additional, its gradual decomposition will maintain the ideal condition for a long lasting period (the application of Aquabase along with other Ferka products will provide the substrate with a long term nutrition richness).
Aquabase material is 95-97% natural. It holds a slightly acid condition between 6.7 – 6.9 pH, concerning with the water quality. Aquabase supports and also stimulates bacterial colonizing, which takes an important role in the ecology system of planted aquarium. Therefore, it will suppress the appearance of blanket weed that usually occurs in the initial setting up stage.
Dosage and Direction:
Mix Aquabase with 50% of the total gravel you use (the gravel should be moisten to reduce the diffusion of Aquabase powder), and then cover up with another half of well washed gravel and gently fill up the water to avoid scattering the substrate. 2 days after the planting, do 50% water change, and after a week, do another 30%. The 250g bag is sufficient to treat a 200 litres capacity tank. If there are many nutrient hungry species such as Cryptocoryne or Echinodorus, the usage rate could be increased to 750g per tank.
You got that book yet mate?
