Schmidty

I just bought my new tank (55 gallon) and was thinking about upgrading the lights so I can grow low-medium light live plants (but plants are only secondary, this is primarily a fish aquarium). However, unfortunately I didn't do my research well enough and I bought epoxy coated gravel from Petsmart. I read the beginner guide on fishlore as well as some of the beginner stuff on Plantgeek.com.
At plantgeek he mentions that epoxy coated gravel is like the worst substrate to use. So what do I do? Is it possible to still get live plants even with that substrate? Do I add anything? If I add anything will it hurt my fish? Thanks a bunch for all the info! You guys are the best!

Butterfly

Took a quick turn around Plantgeek and didn't find the post you were referring to but no problem. Plantgeek is an excellent plant source but as everywhere else opinions vary.
The experience I had with epoxy coated gravel was that the epoxy peeled off in my tank. I don't know of anyone else who had that experience
Plants will grow in just about any substrate to greater or lesser degree. I use peagravel and sand and have plants. I usually put plant tabs under the heavier feeders because there isn't anything in the gravel except fish poo to help them grow. Since my lights are low I use low light plants.
So really your substrate depends on what you want to grow, and opinions and experience differs on the various substrates available.
Carol

neverendingninja

I'm growing a few plants quite well in epoxy coated gravel. Granted, I don't like my gravel now, but thats another story. I'll be changing it out before too long.

Anyway, some plants don't even root in the gravel, such as anubias and java fern. All in all, you can definitely grow plants in your substrate. Honestly, Carol's pea gravel and sand is no better when it comes to nutrients than our epoxy coated stuff....it just looks way nicer

Schmidty

So, could you give me some suggestions for plants that will do well in this type of gravel? I'd like to pick out a few, narrow down my choices. There is so much to look at, I don't even know where to start! There is just out there that I don't know how to even begin narrowing my search!
Thanks a bunch for all the info so far!

Butterfly

Your exactly right and if I hadn't had the one bad experience I might still be using that type of gravel. who knows

Schmidty - Whether your plants will grow or not has a lot to do with the lighting you have. Let us know that and we'll help you find some plants you like
Carol

Schmidty

Right now the lighting that came with the tank is very inefficient. I am going to be upgrading that. It is a 55 gallon tank and the lighting is two 15 watt bulbs! Why in the world do they sell that in a kit! It is almost 0.5 wpg! I am going to be upgrading, hopefully to two 40 watt bulbs, so that I will be in the 1-1.5 wpg range.

Butterfly

I don't know why they do that except then they can say they packaged a "kit" and it's cheaper
Here are some low light suggestions.
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_...=1&filter_by=2
carol