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I've been using gravel as my substrate for a while, but my Amazon Swords and Vallisneria aren't rooting well. The roots keep floating up, and the plants look weak. Is gravel just not gonna cut it for these types of plants?

Gravel can be tricky for heavy root feeders like Amazon Swords. They need a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs to thrive. What's your tank size, and are you using any fertilizers? Also, how deep is your gravel layer?

Yeah, gravel's kinda sketchy for those plants. I switched to sand with root tabs, and my swords went nuts. Maybe try that? Also, how's your lighting? Low light can mess with root growth too.

My Vallisneria did the same thing in gravel! I swapped to a planted tank substrate, and now it's spreading like crazy. Maybe your plants just need more to grab onto. What's your water flow like? High flow can uproot weak roots.

Thanks for the tips. My tank's a 20-gallon, gravel layer is about 2 inches. No root tabs yet, but I dose liquid ferts weekly. Lighting's moderate, 6 hours a day. Flow's low, just a sponge filter.

jinxo wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:38 am Thanks for the tips. My tank's a 20-gallon, gravel layer is about 2 inches. No root tabs yet, but I dose liquid ferts weekly. Lighting's moderate, 6 hours a day. Flow's low, just a sponge filter.

Liquid ferts help, but root feeders really need nutrients in the substrate. Grab some root tabs and see if that fixes it. Also, maybe bump the gravel to 3 inches for better anchoring.

Gravel's not ideal for heavy root feeders. Amazon Swords and Vallisneria need a finer, nutrient-rich substrate like aquasoil or sand with root tabs. Your lighting and flow sound fine, but the substrate's the weak link here.

Yo, gravel's whack for those plants. Switch to sand or dirt, throw in some root tabs, and watch 'em grow. Easy fix, my dude.

I had the same issue with gravel. Switched to a mix of sand and aquasoil, and my plants rooted way better. Maybe try a small section first to see if it helps.

sunseta wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 8:36 am Yeah, gravel's kinda sketchy for those plants. I switched to sand with root tabs, and my swords went nuts. Maybe try that? Also, how's your lighting? Low light can mess with root growth too.

Sand's a solid choice. I use pool filter sand with root tabs, and my plants are thriving. Cheap and effective.