ask91888

Hey everyone,
I have a quick question for you all. When I originally set up my tank (10g), I hadn't really planned on making it a planted tank, so I left the gravel layer pretty thin (~1/2 in). But after finding Fishlore and seeing all of your beautiful planted tanks, I knew that I just had to turn it into a planted tank!

I've had plants in my tank for about 2 months now, and I also got some Tetra FloraPride because I have gravel. I was just wondering if I needed more of a substrate base, because my plants really don't seem to be flourishing. I'm going to be moving my entire tank in the next month (back to school, bummer), and I wondered if I could add a thicker layer of substrate (sand or dirt or smaller gravel?) underneath the gravel when I am putting my tank back together.

Do you guys think this would work? If so, what type of substrate should I use?

p.s. I have a decently well-lit tank (1.5 wpg flouresent) and I have Amazon Sword and an unknown type of aquatic grass in my tank.

David C

With you lighting level, you would be best served with lowlight plants like java moss and java fern. You can really find some beautiful fern. Have you thought about upgrading the lighting? I put two 10w fluroescent bulbs in my 10g hood and they've worked great, cost me $10 at walmart. The substrate, you can put in something like this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...70&pcatid=4870 since the tank will be torn down to be moved anywayz. Ive heard good things about it, but I havent used it myself. I plan to on my next tank setup.

sirdarksol

My #1 suggestion for planted substrate is Eco Complete. I love the stuff.
The downside is that gravel is likely going to mix in with any substrate you add. It may sit on the top of fluorite (another decent plant substrate), but I'm not positive.

You could just use EcoComplete. It looks like black soil.
There's nothing wrong with experimenting with the substrate, other than it's a pain to change things around if you don't like the look.