Cody

i used it in my aquarium...requries alot more cleaing...but looks better then some of the nautral looking things in the store...and for bigger tanks...ITS ALOT CHEAPER

Isabella

Yup. Nutrient-rich substrate is much more expansive, especially if you're entirely filling a large tank with it. I had to buy 7 bags of Eco-Complete for my 75 gallon tank, each bag at $16 - 20. Fluorite is similar in price. And Amazonia, I think, is over $20 per bag. But, if a person is planning to have higher lighting and a tank full of live plants, especially of rooting plants, it's really best to save up and invest in a good substrate. Otherwise, you're wasting money on all of these plants that will die without proper nutrition. Good lighting alone is not enough.

Cody

im not planing on live plants so im not worring about it...but thanks for making the piont of it for other people who might read taht and get an idea....thats what the forums for though...learning

Isabella

No problemo And you're right: There is no point in getting a nutrient-rich gravel if you won't have a lot of live rooting plants. That would be a terrible waste of money.

Cody

i didnt know that the there was anything special about that aquarium gravel..so what do the do to make it neutriant rich

Isabella

How to transform regular gravel into nutrient-rich gravel? If you'll have live rooting plants, you can use plant tabs. There's more information about them in the article on the top of this board, in the "SUBSTRATE" section.

Cody

i meant like what do they companys do the the gravel ...to make it neutriant rich

Isabella

That I don't know. You'd have to ask the specific company you're concerned about. Every company has their own methods of making nutrient-rich substrates. Whatever they do, their substrates contain nutrients that are vital for plant growth, and that are released slowly over time.

Cody

sounds good to me...i like fake plants they never die on me

Isabella

LOL, there's nothing wrong with fake plants and regular inert gravel. As long as you keep your water clean There's nothing wrong with live plants either since they help filter the water and remove fish wastes from the water too (provided that they're adequately cared for).

Cody

they both have ups and downs i guess we could put it that way..somtimes some of both can be nice

Isabella

Yup And by the way, to you !!!

Cody

lol thanks...i think you helped me out a while back when i was first starting out...but i was asking you threw email and not the forum..wow i have come along way from there

Isabella

You mean I threw away your e-mail? Sorry, I don't know if I understood you correctly.

Cody

sorry i meant i was emailing you questions...instead of using the forum

Isabella

Oh, lol, OK I can't really remember all the e-mails I get, but it could be

Cody

yeah im sure my emails didnt stick out that much...i have met so many great people on here there alll so friendly and helpful and i learned alot .and i feel im helping some of the newbies..its a great forum we got here

Isabella

I love this forum too Its helpful and friendly atmosphere is what has hooked me up with this forum. I knew very very little about fish keeping before I joined Fish Lore. Now, I feel like I know so much more. All thanks to this forum

P.S. I also benefited a lot from PlantGeek.net when it comes to planted tanks.