Leokiss

Ok i was thinking,i have a substrate under my gravel for growing plants. Its full of all the great elements n nutrients great for growing plants. So my Question is will these eventually all be used up by the plants and in turn have to replace all this substrate?

bmxer193

Im dont know a whole alot about substrates but it will become used up (i dont know how long it will take to be used up).When it is used up i do believe you will have to replace it.

And FYI there are NO stupid question we are all learning and have questions!

sirdarksol

Depends on the substrate.
Certain more natural substrates such as fluorite release iron (the biggest additive your plants need) very slowly, whereas laterite releases it more quickly.
Yes, the fluorite would eventually run out of iron, but not likely within the life of your tank. Laterite, on the other hand, has to be replaced often. (the package should have directions on it)

Isabella

Any nutrient-rich substrate will give out with time. In a planted tank, the substrate is filled with plant roots, so you don't "deep-vacuum" it. The idea behind a nutrient-rich substrate is that by the time it gives out, there will be enough fish wastes accumulated within the substrate to feed the plant roots. Fish wastes are a wonderful NATURAL fertilizer for plants. If then fish wastes won't be enough, you can add ROOT TABS to your substrate, which dissolve slowly over time, and provide nutrients for your plant roots. Plus, nutrient rich substrates are much more porous than normal gravels, so they absorb the nutrients from plant tabs and fish wastes, and store them there for plants. So, you don't need to replace the substrate after it gives out.

Leokiss

Mmm maybe not as stupid a question as i thought,Thank for info

Butterfly

There are no stupid questions Just questions we don't know the answer .
carol

Jim

Isabella, where did you do your research on substrates? I remember one of these threads describing how you set up your 75 gallon, I know you know all the right things to do, or at least know where to find the right info. I want to start planning out my next tank. It's not so much MTS, I don't have the room for another big tank, I'm just going to need a bigger replacement tank for the angels fairly soon, figure within a year or so. And I definitly want a garden tank, like those award winning super tanks someone posted here just a few days ago; you probably remember, I know I saw a comment by you on it. They were a bunch of absolutely amazing world champion award wining tanks.
Anyway, I figure so far I've been lucky with this tank, but truth is, it's been mostly trial and error. The next one is going to be MUCH more researched before I do or buy a thing. And I remember you saying something about really researching yours before you began. Do you mind if I pick your brain Did you find everything on Plantgeek, or were there other places?

Isabella

Jim, I didn't research info about substrates in one particular place. I've researched many websites and books, as well as listened to other people's opinions. This applies not only to substrates but also to lighting, plants, water chemistry, etc ... The best way for me to summarize it is that my planted tank is a result of a COLLECTIVE research; that is, it's based on research on many various sources (as I've said: websites, books, and others' opinions).

I can tell you what websites I visited and what books I've read if you want. Most of the websites I used in the research of a planted tank (everything: substrates, lighting, plants, etc.) are listed here: General Guide to Low-Light Planted Tanks - if you haven't read the guide, it's really a good starting point. It also contains a lot of what I've learned as a result of my research on planted tanks.

I've bought and read several books on planted tanks and just fish books in general that often contained some info about planted tanks as well.

For more info about plants and planted tanks, I bought these:
(1) Aquarium Plants (Mini Encyclopedia Series for Aquarium Hobbyists) by Peter Hiscock
(2) Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature by Peter Hiscock
(3) Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist by Diana L. Walstad
(4) Aquarium Plants Manual: Expert Advice on Selection, Planting, Care, and Propagation by Ines Scheurmann, Dennis W. Stevenson

And this book - Complete Encyclopedia of the Freshwater Aquarium by John Dawes - although it's a freshwater fish encyclopedia, it contains some info about plants and planted tanks (i.e. lighting, substartes, etc) as well.

And Jim, I asked TONS of questions on Plant Geek and right here on Fish Lore - this is the part that goes for opinions as well.