windymeadow

Okay I am really new at this so bear with me. What the heck is substrate (told you I was new). I put gravel in the tank and a couple of cryptocorynes and a java fern. I just found out that I put the java in wrong so I am going to get a rock to tie it to tomorrow, but I just stuck the rest in the gravel. So now I am wondering if there is some thing I was supposed to put under the gravel? And do I need to fertilize these plants? oh, I also have mondo grass. One other thing.... all the plants are getting gunky looking, I am guessing it is algae. What do I do about that?!! I have a betta and I don't want to put in one of those fish that clean that stuff up.

Gunnie

Substrate is what is on the bottom of your tank. Most folks use sand or gravel.

You don't need to put anything under the grave. You may want to put fertilizer tabs under or near the roots of your crypts later on though. I would take the mondo grass out of the tank. I don't believe it is a true aquatic plant, and it will simply die and pollute your tank.

If your plants are getting covered in algae, you can try upping your water changes to see if you can get the excess nutrients out that are feeding the algae. Algae competes with your plants for the nutriients, so if you have excess algae, it could be because there are excessive nutrients in the tank. I would also not fertilize any plants until this was under control.