RE: Best Plant Substrate for Low Light Planted Tank

[blazingazn]

Looking to place some low light Plants in a 6G Fluval Edge.
What is the best substrate or soil for the job?



I was recommended Eco Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate
What does everyone think?

Also, I can get it from Petco in the states for $16.99 a 20lb bag?
Anyone want some? Only need to buy 3 for free shipping!

[thefishwife]

I have only ever used Flora substrate, works well for me and is for planted tanks. Its what I have in my fluval edge.

I have heard Echo complete is good!

[2wheelsx2]

EC and Florabase are both pretty good, but if you want nothing but the best, at all light levels, CO2 or not, you have to go ADA Aquasoil. I resisted for years, but I'm about to set up a tank with some after trying EC and Florabase in other tanks.

[CGY_Betta_Guy]

I use fluorite black gravel in mine. have had no issues growing anything in the Edge. Vals, crypts, swords, pennywort, blyxa japonica, dwarf chain sword, e. tenellus, pogestomon stellatus & helferi are among the plants I have grown in it.

[arash53]

I used fluval shrimp stratum substrate , and I am completely satisfy!

[teija]

Depends what fauna you are planning on putting into it. Eco is what I have in my BioCube, and it looks good...but the black sand gets EVERYWHERE, and some plant roots get too compacted in it. I put some Aquasoil in two of my betta tanks, underneath a layer of pea gravel and the plants seem quite happy with it.

With low-tech plants, you would probably be ok with pea gravel if you wanted to go that route. Maybe use some root tabs to help the plants with nutrients...

[blazingazn]

It will be some low maintenance plants in the tank.

Java Ferns, Java Moss, Anubias, Marimo Moss Balls, Amazon Swords

[hp10BII]

You don't need specialized substrate for those plants, all except the amazon sword, they draw nutrients from the water column. I had an amazon sword in a 120 gallon tank - it outgrew it, so an amazon sword may be just a bit too big for your tank, maybe some microswords.

[stonedaquarium]

You don't need specialized substrate for those plants, all except the amazon sword, they draw nutrients from the water column. I had an amazon sword in a 120 gallon tank - it outgrew it, so an amazon sword may be just a bit too big for your tank, maybe some microswords.

A+ on the amazon swords. all those plants you mentioned i have grown in just ordinary pea gravel (try to get the really fine pea gravel, i have seen some in king eds and in PJs)... if really want to go for specialized substrate... ADA as what one member mentioned is the best... I have used fluval stratum and flourabase both are equally good as well.

[Shiyuu]

Is there any good alternative substrate with a good C/P ratio?
So far I guess Eco-Complete is pretty good consider it's $16.99 from US...

I think I saw somewhere that some ppl in Europe using aquaclay, and said it's pretty good, anyone got any idea what that is??