Deciding on a substrate

[Badjester1]

Hello everyone!

I'm new here and just wanted some advice to help with choosing a substrate. I used to have a few tropical tanks a few years ago but with having to move and so much going on at the time, I had to let them all go. Anyway I decided to start back up as I never stopped thinking about my old tanks lol. The difference being that this time I'm wanting to keep errors to an absolute minimum if I can! When I first started keeping fish, like many others it was a baptism by fire to say the least! I did grow plants (despite it being in sand) with use of Co2 injection etc and managed reasonably well with simple growing plants. Anyway this time I do want to use sand again but I understand it's not the best substrate to use for plants. Although as you'll all know there are so many conflicting answers when asking about this. Some say they use sand and it works, some say no you need aquasoil.

So here's what I'm trying to work out. Is aquasoil definitely the way to go? Can I cap with sand? I've been told yes and no on that one. I used to use white sand but if I was looking to use aquasoil underneath I was thinking of going with black sand as to minimise the messy look if it mixed. Then added to that I want Cory's. I've been told Cory's and soil is a no go due to bacteria in the soil? However someone did mention something about putting soil into media bags under thank sand. Which I'm not entirely sure how that would work with roots etc? I've never actually handled aquasoil so I'm clueless what it's like. I believe it goes like clay in an aquarium. Anyway I just wondered if you folks could give me some ideas and info to help me to decide on which way to go. My tank is a Roma 240 and It's not being done in a hurry. I'll be sorting the substrate/plants out first whilst fishless cycling (ammonia.) I assume plants will withstand the cycling? So fish actually going in will be weeks down the line. I'm guessing around 6 to 8 weeks from experience but I'm not rushing things. Sorry for the amount of questions haha. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Byron]

Aquatic plants used in aquaria will grow in any substrate, with one exception; very large grain gravel, pea gravel and larger, can be detrimental as it causes issues for the roots. There are other general biological bacterial issues too, but that's another topic.

So-called plant substrates are not necessary to grow any aquatic plants, and some of these have serious issues relating to fish and bacteria. Sand is overall the best substrate because all plants will grow well in it, and most all fish will not have issues--some even needing sand. One can always use substrate tabs and/or liquid fertilizer, depending upon conditions (GH, fish load, plant species and numbers, lighting).

If you intend plants, you are best forgetting "cycling." Set the tank up with the plants, and once they show signs of growing, you can add fish. Aquatic plants take up ammonia/ammonium as their source of nitrogen, and faster-growing plants can take up a considerable amount, more than any balanced fish load could produce.

 

[Badjester1]

Aquatic plants used in aquaria will grow in any substrate, with one exception; very large grain gravel, pea gravel and larger, can be detrimental as it causes issues for the roots. There are other general biological bacterial issues too, but that's another topic.

So-called plant substrates are not necessary to grow any aquatic plants, and some of these have serious issues relating to fish and bacteria. Sand is overall the best substrate because all plants will grow well in it, and most all fish will not have issues--some even needing sand. One can always use substrate tabs and/or liquid fertilizer, depending upon conditions (GH, fish load, plant species and numbers, lighting).

If you intend plants, you are best forgetting "cycling." Set the tank up with the plants, and once they show signs of growing, you can add fish. Aquatic plants take up ammonia/ammonium as their source of nitrogen, and faster-growing plants can take up a considerable amount, more than any balanced fish load could produce.

Thanks for the reply! This is good news to me because I would love to just have sand! It'll be so much easier than messing on with soil. Yes I'd be using root tabs and from memory I think it was TNC ferts I used last time. Along with a Co2 kit which I have to admit I found tricky balancing that with keeping the pH etc. So I don't think I'll be looking at that at least to start with and see how I go. So I don't need to add ammonia if I plant it right from the start? Just trying to get my head around how the media will colonise bacteria without adding anything? I'm a bit rusty after a few years but it comes back to me once I read it again.

 

[Byron]

I would forget the CO2, this is adding another layer of complexity, and there is evidence that it is likely harmful to fish long-term. There is a lot more CO2 naturally occurring in an aquarium than many realize.

With live plants, the nitrifying bacteria will still colonize but they will be fewer and slower. Plants take up ammonia/ammonium faster than the bacteria can, another benefit. And with plants, there is no nitrite, and thus less nitrate at the end. All positives. Some suggest adding ammonia anyway, thinking the plants can use it, but this can be dangerous. Ammonia is after all toxic to all life forms, and there is no point in risking the plants. I do use fertilizer from day 1, substrate tabs for larger rooted plants, liquid for all plants.

The plant method is often termed "silent cycling" nd it is described in one of the cycling articles on TFF.

 

[Badjester1]

I would forget the CO2, this is adding another layer of complexity, and there is evidence that it is likely harmful to fish long-term. There is a lot more CO2 naturally occurring in an aquarium than many realize.

With live plants, the nitrifying bacteria will still colonize but they will be fewer and slower. Plants take up ammonia/ammonium faster than the bacteria can, another benefit. And with plants, there is no nitrite, and thus less nitrate at the end. All positives. Some suggest adding ammonia anyway, thinking the plants can use it, but this can be dangerous. Ammonia is after all toxic to all life forms, and there is no point in risking the plants. I do use fertilizer from day 1, substrate tabs for larger rooted plants, liquid for all plants.

The plant method is often termed "silent cycling" nd it is described in one of the cycling articles on TFF.

Fantastic and thanks for all that info! Yes I don't want to over complicate things. I'll have a look at that article you mentioned. Plant cycling isn't something I've done but sounds a lot better. Thanks again