gmann21193

I recently set up my first planted tank. Its a small 5 gallon with Micro Swords, Java ferns, and a lot of baby ferns....the problem is I have plain gravel as the substrate..... my ferns arent an issue because they are on a chunk of driftwood but i heard micro swords need a nutrient rich substrate to thrive. I am currently supplementing with fertiliver tablets but i feel this will not be enough. Can I add a layer of nutrient rich substrate on top of my plain gravel or does the nutrient rich substrate need to be under the gravel..... also I have african dwarf frogs and a snail and a guppy so re-arranging the tank wouldnt be so easy.

NextstepAquatics

i know of no substrates that are rich in nutients that will not completely cloud your water to the point they very well may choke out your tanks inhabitants. the only possibility might be power sand. i think your better off temporarily moving your fish to a bucket for a few days and do it right. add a air stone to the bucket and eveyone should be fine a couple days

Gargoyle

Wish I could help but I don't believe substrates and fertilizers are necessary in tanks with live critters in them. I could be totally wrong though...