Plant Substrate

[chimera_786]

What would be a good example of plant substrate. All i have right now is regular gravel. I want to have a nice plantted tank with a few plants which need to root themselves and for that i might need to add that substrate. Also, where can i grab a cheap reflector so that i can mount it on my hood?

 

[zub-typer]

What colour gravel do you want?

Dark - Caribsea Eco-Complete
Light - Tropica plant substrate (Mix with argos playsand if you like)

You'll get a good deal on reflectors @ http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk

I just got some from their and they have excellent prices as well as reasonable P&P.

What would be a good example of plant substrate. All i have right now is regular gravel. I want to have a nice plantted tank with a few plants which need to root themselves and for that i might need to add that substrate. Also, where can i grab a cheap reflector so that i can mount it on my hood?

 

[SuperColey1]

Light - Tropica plant substrate (Mix with argos playsand if you like)

Tropica can be mixed but there MUST be a layer of something else on top as a barrier. It is what I use though with playsand on top.

AC

 

[aaronnorth]

how much are you willing to pay? something like ADA aquasoil is the best but, while there is something like tetraplant which is cheap, but no as good.

 

[chimera_786]

umm..how do i know wat size reflector do i need? I have a 20 gallon tank and the bulb i use is an 18inch 17Watt. So apart from the reflector, i need a substrate of sand? wont that be kind of hard to mantain as compared to gravel and wont i need to add fertilizers for the plant growth?

 

[zub-typer]

you need a reflector for an 18" 17watt light, however I would go for a larger one as they don't streache the full length of the tube if you get the one for that lamp, i prefer the reflector to go right to the end and maximise my light.
Substrate; you would ideally put some kind of special substrate down like the ones mentioned above, and possibly sand on top, this will mitigate the need for additinal ferts, and I don't think its any harder to maintain...
Are you going to be running CO² and what plants are you planning on ?

Z

umm..how do i know wat size reflector do i need? I have a 20 gallon tank and the bulb i use is an 18inch 17Watt. So apart from the reflector, i need a substrate of sand? wont that be kind of hard to mantain as compared to gravel and wont i need to add fertilizers for the plant growth?