Substrate? Startup? Help with 10 gallon betta planted tank

(10g) I think my plastic plants in my aquarium are tearing at my bettas fins and I want to start putting more real plants in. What's the best substrate for this? There is also an african dwarf frog and nerites in there so I have to keep them in mind.
I'm looking for one that isn't too cloudy and can possibly just go under the gravel I already have in there. This is just for the health of the plants.
Any advice on starting a betta planted tank will help. Thank you!

 

Lots of people seem to like eco complete, stratum, and the seachem planted tank substrates. I've personally heard the best things about stratum but never tried any myself.

Just about any substrate will make the tank cloudy at first, especially if you're adding it to an already established tank.

Also keep in mind that there are options for plants that don't really need special substrate. Java fern for example.

 

Lots of people seem to like eco complete, stratum, and the seachem planted tank substrates. I've personally heard the best things about stratum but never tried any myself.

Just about any substrate will make the tank cloudy at first, especially if you're adding it to an already established tank.

Also keep in mind that there are options for plants that don't really need special substrate. Java fern for example.

Eco complete is basically expensive inert gravel and is a waste of money.

If you only want a few plants just keep your gravel and add some root tabs if you need.
If you want to plant it heavily get aquasoil.

 

I would actually recommend getting epiphyte plants like Java Fern and Anubias which should not be buried in the substrate. They have the added benefit of being easy to grow and hard to kill. My own Betta tank is all epiphytes and floaters and it looks like a jungle- but not one thing is planted in the substrate!

 

I have 4 tanks, 1-with just gravel 1-with sand 2-with eco complete. The 2 with eco complete my plants are thriving, big and beautiful. They are all planted all have the same type of lights and all get the same ferts.

 

I would actually recommend getting epiphyte plants like Java Fern and Anubias which should not be buried in the substrate. They have the added benefit of being easy to grow and hard to kill. My own Betta tank is all epiphytes and floaters and it looks like a jungle- but not one thing is planted in the substrate!

Excellent! I have one anubias, I think I'll get more of those and some java fern, and then the rest will be floating plants.
I should have mentioned I have to to this on a budget, I just want my betta to have more stuff to interact with in his tank and have a more realistic habitat.
(It may seem silly, but if my betta finds a root tab and eats part of it, will he get sick? He literally eats everything hes not supposed to)