Substrate For 55 Gallon

hello, i've posted about this before but didn'tr get a straight response. I have a 55 gallon, with a canister filter that I'm in the process of setting up. I really don't want to spend $100 on soil for plants. although I don't want my plants to fail. I was wondering if having a layer of eco complete subsrate on the bottom, with just a sand substrate on the top , or even mixing together? would that combined with root tabs and some add ins like flourish help? I'm kind of on a budget and need some ideas, thanks

 

what kind of lighting do you have? It also depends on the types of plants you are interested in keeping.

 

Sand (like pool filter sand from a pool store [$8-12 for a 50 lb bag] or blasting sand from a hardware or Tractor Supply store [$8 for a 50 lb bag]) with root tabs would be a great, cheaper option! Sand is preferred by many fish, and you can grow plants very well in it. No need for Ecocomplete.

Adding Ecocomplete with sand will result in the sand settling below the Ecocomplete.

 

You don't really need ecocomplete unless you want really demanding plants. I have pool filter sand with root tabs for my root feeders and dose flourish once a week for my other plants, they all grow really well. The sand was only about $13 for 50 lbs. You can also use black diamond blasting sand for about $8 for 50 lbs.

 

I use Eco-complete topped with a layer of fine black sand in my tank.
I dose with API Leaf Zone and occasional Osmocote root capsules.
My plants are doing quite well and I highly recommend this approach.

 

I use Eco-complete topped with a layer of fine black sand in my tank.
I dose with API Leaf Zone and occasional Osmocote root capsules.
My plants are doing quite well and I highly recommend this approach.

 

I use Eco-complete topped with a layer of fine black sand in my tank.
I dose with API Leaf Zone and occasional Osmocote root capsules.
My plants are doing quite well and I highly recommend this approach.

 

I use Eco-complete topped with a layer of fine black sand in my tank.
I dose with API Leaf Zone and occasional Osmocote root capsules.
My plants are doing quite well and I highly recommend this approach.

 

I use Eco-complete topped with a layer of fine black sand in my tank.
I dose with API Leaf Zone and occasional Osmocote root capsules.
My plants are doing quite well and I highly recommend this approach.

 

I use Eco-complete topped with a layer of fine black sand in my tank.
I dose with API Leaf Zone and occasional Osmocote root capsules.
My plants are doing quite well and I highly recommend this approach.

 

I use Eco-complete topped with a layer of fine black sand in my tank.
I dose with API Leaf Zone and occasional Osmocote root capsules.
My plants are doing quite well and I highly recommend this approach.

 

Sorry for the multiple posts. I have no idea what happened.

 

what kind of lighting do you have? It also depends on the types of plants you are interested in keeping.

I haven't bought a light yet, but obviously one that is good for plants

 

You don't really need ecocomplete unless you want really demanding plants. I have pool filter sand with root tabs for my root feeders and dose flourish once a week for my other plants, they all grow really well. The sand was only about $13 for 50 lbs. You can also use black diamond blasting sand for about $8 for 50 lbs.

thank you so much, this helps a lot I will definitely be doing that instead. I just thought that sand wasn't enough but if everyone is saying it is, all the better! thank you

 

I haven't bought a light yet, but obviously one that is good for plants

Put your money into a good light, much more important than the substrate. Eco Complete does not add much by itself, but can store dosed nutrients better than regular gravel or sand.

 

Put your money into a good light, much more important than the substrate. Eco Complete does not add much by itself, but can store dosed nutrients better than regular gravel or sand.

I will, thanks for the tips

 

I will, thanks for the tips

I agree with the others, eco complete isn't really the best substrate for plants anyways (at least cost wise), and if you go with low tech plants root tabs and a good, complete water column fert will be a better use of your money.