Switching Substrate?

[DUHockey9]

There doesn't appear to be a search function, so I apologize for the new topic if it's been covered before (I'm sure it has). I've been reading this forum for 3 or 4 months now and have found it immensely helpful, so thank you everyone.

I recently added a few live plants to my aquarium, very easy to care for plants, Amazon Swords, Cabomba, and Anachris. My question is, I don't have the right type of substrate (I know, I know, bad move). How critical is the substrate when it comes to plants (epecially the "easy" ones that I have). I have your run of the mill Top Fin gravel in my tank.

If it is indeed an issue, how can I go about switching substrate?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Welcome to the forum! And the search function is at the upper right of your screen.

There's a section labeled Plants and Planted Tanks that should interest you and covers it all. I'm no expert, but I've found sand to be a much easier substrate to use, and it's easy to plant. You might need to dose fertilizers and I know nothing about that, so help yourself to that link.

Cheers!

 

[tanksalot]

I wouldn't bother changing substrate for what you have there.

Anacharis and Cabomba take their nutrients mostly from the water column via their leaves, so substrate isn't important for them. As long as you can anchor them where you want them, it's fine.

The swords will also grow perfectly well in gravel, but you may need to add nutrients either in the form of root tabs underneath them or, as I did when I had a gravel substrate, liquid fertiliser.

ETA:....and welcome to the forum!

 

[DUHockey9]

Thanks for the kind words and advice! No idea how I missed the search function; I'm a very avid forum dweller too haha.