Creating a live plant-friendly substrate: suggestions needed

[Freshhub]

I'm revamping my 125-gallon tank to convert it into a planted setup, and I'm still in the early stages of planning. The tank's currently home to some big cichlids that will be rehomed soon, so I'm looking for ideas to get started.

The existing substrate is a coarse white gravel that I want to replace entirely. I've considered using black diamond blasting sand (BDBS) as the top layer, since it looks nice and is affordable in bulk from Tractor Supply. However, I know BDBS is inert and won't support plant growth. To address this, I'm thinking of using a nutrient-rich substrate as the bottom layer, with BDBS on top. What would be a good choice for this bottom layer?

As for the plants themselves, I'm still researching options. Some that I'm considering include Zosterzon swords, Vallisneria, Moneywort, Cryptocoryne, micro swords, and non-substrate plants like Java fern and Anubias.

[sSjey]

Your chosen plants should do just fine in an inert substrate like the Black Diamond Blasting Sand. The heavy root feeders, such as swords and crypts, and possibly some of the others, will likely benefit from root tabs to provide them with the necessary nutrients. On the other hand, non-substrate plants like Java fern and Anubias will require a liquid fertiliser for optimal growth.

I've heard Seachem root tabs are a good choice as they don't leach into the water column, which is a major plus. I recall reading about a member who had a bad experience with some cheaper root tabs that caused a nitrite spike. As for a liquid fertiliser, Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement has been recommended by some folks.

[EpaPuff]

I'm still learning about planted tanks and fish keeping, but I've had great success with Fluval Shrimp and Plant Stratum. It's made a huge difference for my shrimp compared to when I was using Eco Complete - they're thriving now. My plants are doing really well too. I do supplement with root tabs and liquid fertilizer to make sure they're getting all the nutrients they need. Based on my experience, I'd definitely recommend Fluval Shrimp and Plant Stratum to anyone - it's worked wonders for me, and it's a bit more budget-friendly than some of the aqua soils out there.

[Freshhub]

I'm curious about root tabs - do they work like fertilizers for trees, where you stick the tab near the roots in the substrate? How often should you replace them to keep your plants healthy?

[EpaPuff]

I'm revamping my 125-gallon tank to convert it into a planted setup, and I'm still in the early stages of planning. The tank's currently home to some big cichlids that will be rehomed soon, so I'm looking for ideas to get started.

The existing substrate is a coarse white gravel that I want to replace entirely. I've considered using black diamond blasting sand (BDBS) as the top layer, since it looks nice and is affordable in bulk from Tractor Supply. However, I know BDBS is inert and won't support plant growth. To address this, I'm thinking of using a nutrient-rich substrate as the bottom layer, with BDBS on top. What would be a good choice for this bottom layer?

As for the plants themselves, I'm still researching options. Some that I'm considering include Zosterzon swords, Vallisneria, Moneywort, Cryptocoryne, micro swords, and non-substrate plants like Java fern and Anubias.

You just stick the tab into the substrate. I'm sure different brands have their own guidelines, but with Seachem root tabs, they suggest spacing them about 4 to 6 inches apart and replacing them every 3 to 4 months.

[EpaPuff]

If you've got a thick patch of non-heavy root feeding plants like hornwort, which doesn't really grow roots and just floats in your tank, using root tabs in that area isn't going to do much good since the plants won't be using them. For those types of plants, liquid fertilizers added directly to the water column are going to be more beneficial.

[Freshhub]

Considering the risk of spiking with lower quality products, I'd love to know some reliable liquid fertilizers that are worth trying. What are some good options that are less likely to cause issues, unlike those cheaper root tabs that @sSjey mentioned?

[EpaPuff]

I've had great success with Seachem's products, specifically Flourish and Flourish Excel. These have been a game-changer for my plants. Flourish covers all the necessary micro and macro nutrients, while Excel provides liquid carbon - perfect for those who don't run a CO2 injection system. I highly recommend them, especially for beginners. Flourish is an all-around great fertilizer that's made growing plants much easier for me. Plus, if you need to target specific nutrients like potassium or iron, they offer individual bottles for that.

[EpaPuff]

Also, be aware that some fertilizers can be toxic to invertebrates like shrimp or snails due to copper content. If you plan on keeping them, make sure the fertilizer is safe. Some brands label their products as "shrimp safe," which is reassuring. I've checked the label on Flourish, and it claims to be safe for invertebrates despite containing copper. I've had no issues with it, so I'm assuming the copper levels are non-toxic.

[sSjey]

I've had great success with plants attached to decor and I swear by Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement - it's been a game-changer for my non-substrate plants. I'm extremely cautious when it comes to certain additives, though. I avoid products like Seachem Flourish Excel, which falls under the 'liquid CO2' category. The reason for this is that many of these products contain glutareldehyde, a chemical used not only in aquariums but also for sterilising surgical equipment and in sterilising fluids. The risks associated with even a slight overdose are just too high for my comfort level - I wouldn't dare put this stuff near my fish.