Potting plants vs. planting in substrate?

Hi peeps!

I’m creating my first planted tank and I have a major question:

Which is better? Potting your aquatic plants or planting directly in the tank substrate?

What do you personally prefer? Does this depend on the plants you’re keeping? I’ve read some articles on aquatic plant keeping, but I’m not sure which planting method is better for my tank. What are the pros and cons of each way? I’d appreciate any advice you can spare!! Pictures and details of how you set up your planted tank are also welcome!

Thanks y’all

 

I vote planting your plants directly in the tank substrate is better, because it looks nicer.

To me, the use of pots looks artificial and that's the opposite of what I'm trying to achieve.

This is what my gourami tank currently looks like (with just the moonlights on). Granted the hairgrass and some other things need to grow in a bit, but I don't think it would look as natural if all the plants were in pots.

 

I vote planting your plants directly in the tank substrate is better, because it looks nicer.

To me, the use of pots looks artificial and that's the opposite of what I'm trying to achieve.

This is what my gourami tank currently looks like (with just the moonlights on). Granted the hairgrass and some other things need to grow in a bit, but I don't think it would look as natural if all the plants were in pots.

View attachment 810503

Ooh nice! What substrate do you use? Fertilizer?

 

I vote for containers ,rocks and wood. Why being able to remove everything to service the tank and catch fish.

Sure I started the hobby as a gardener but now feel the needs of the fish outweighs what i want to look at.

 

Ooh nice! What substrate do you use? Fertilizer?

Here's what I use:

• Substrate: UNS Controsoil
• Liquid Fertilizer: APT Complete (I dose daily)
• Substrate Fertilizer: Osmocote Flower and Vegetable (I add a bit every couple of months or so. It's not an exact science.)

 

I think it really depends on the plant and if you want to limit growth. Most stem plants are sold in pots, but will have issues as the stems are too close together and should be planted 1-2 inches from each other in the tank for nutrients. Some root plants spread by runners and in pots they may not be able to spread. Also pots can limit the root growth and stunt the overall size the plant can grow- this can be good for a small tank so they do not overgrow it.

 

Agreed with above, in essence it all comes down to the purpose of the tank. For my breeding tanks, I keep them very simple, things in pots or easy to move, makes cleaning easy, etc. If this is your main display tank, in my opinion you have to just plant in substrate, if you want a good looking aquascaped tank, then there is no way to do that with pots in there.

 

A lot of plants - crypts, vals - spread by runners if they're in substrate.

Like many things in this hobby, it depends on how you want it to look.

 

Thanks all for making me look through some old photos of how tanks have been in the past.

I am now growing val in terracotta pots that are 10 inches in diameter but only 3 inches high. A great way of controlling a plant that fish enjoy but can be a pest in a limited space with its runners taking over our glass boxes.

I found these old photos of val in substrate and some of the older types of pots.


And a snapshot of a slightly greener tank ,but one again with everything floating or in something or on something so it can all be removed from the water.

 

Depends what and how you like I suppose. It’s gardening, really. I have raised garden beds, natural garden beds, native gardens and “gardens” that are my potted tropicals playing outside for the summer. FlyFisha posted some great examples of potted plants and “raised gardens” but then there’s also mudminnow with “here’s a snapshot of nature”

Having things in pots allows you to move things around (this needs less/more light etc…) Having it planted is a bit more one and done.

 

I am now growing val in terracotta pots that are 10 inches in diameter but only 3 inches high.

Shallow pots are a cool idea! For shallow containers, is it possible to fill the aquarium gravel/rocks substrate up to the brim of the pot so it looks semi-natural? Even better, could I cover the top of the pot with substrate?

 

It would be a fairly deep substrate, but I don’t see why not. That’s how I’m doing it in the filter for my goldfish pond. Plants are basically double potted. One pot is buried in lava rock, the other slides in and is planted. Grew taro this year, next year I’m changing a couple over to wasabi.

 

That’s how I’m doing it in the filter for my goldfish pond. Plants are basically double potted. One pot is buried in lava rock, the other slides in and is planted.

Is lava rock good for aquariums? I was thinking of getting some, but I didn’t know if it was too rough for some species of fish (like Corys, for example). I really want a layer of lava rock, then possibly some natural gravel overtop. I’d prefer not to mess with an entire layer of soil, rather keep plants in (hidden) shallow pots I think.

 

With fish? Probably not. Additionally it holds a lot debris and looks terrible. It’s literally filter media for me.

 

I am now growing val in terracotta pots that are 10 inches in diameter but only 3 inches high. A great way of controlling a plant that fish enjoy but can be a pest in a limited space with its runners taking over our glass boxes.

I’m liking this idea! Can plastic containers be used for this purpose. For example, I’ve got some old deli containers leftover from my leopard gecko’s feeder insects. Would something like that work for small plants?

With fish? Probably not. Additionally it holds a lot debris and looks terrible. It’s literally filter media for me.

Lol the lava rock or soil looks terrible for you?

 

Yes FyaNyan you can use any kind of container in any shape. Having a low pot / saucer buried in gravel works as well. Just be aware of the size of the container, when you use a very big flat plastic tray it’s difficult to lift out , needing two hands and needing to be kept flat is not convenient. From personal experience really big flat trays are a nightmare to lift out. Much better to use several small trays.

 

I’m liking this idea! Can plastic containers be used for this purpose. For example, I’ve got some old deli containers leftover from my leopard gecko’s feeder insects. Would something like that work for small plants?

Lol the lava rock or soil looks terrible for you?

Lava rock.

At least in my pond, it just grows thick algae. Normally I plant moss over it, but this year decided to add a small pool to one side to toss Endler fry into.

Where they stayed for about a minute before wriggling their way through the rocks, down the waterfall and into goldfish bellies lol

Edit: If you’re going to top it that may work but also might just trap a lot of gases. Worth looking into.

 

Just an update...

First off, thanks for all the awesome replies!! The combination of your answers gave me inspiration on what to do. I really like the pot-in-a-pot idea, but I like the look of direct-to-substrate—so I’ve sculpted a landscape that uses pots but doesn’t look like it’s using pots!!

I’m using old lunch meat containers as the outer pots, and deli containers (from feeder insects) as the inner pots where the plants will be rooted.

I bought two types of Val today—some long when full grown and some short when full grown. The big stuff will go in the back and the short stuff will inhabit the foreground. I’m also thinking of adding an anubias, red root floaters or salvia, and maybe java moss for a few spots.


.

Again, thanks guys

 

Depends what your using the tank for. If its a breeding or fry tank, pots. If its a more permanent betta tank for example definitely planted into the substrate.

 

Edit: If you’re going to top it that may work but also might just trap a lot of gases. Worth looking into.

I looked into keeping larger rocks and the general consensus seems to be that you just have to take them out periodically and clean the filth out. Basically, it may be a bit more maintenance but not too ridiculous. Anyway, decided to use gravel as the main substrate and lava rocks as an accent substrate on top of said gravel.