20 replies to this topic

[Keddy]

Hi everyone
I am attempting to plant my first planted tank and was wondering what is the best gravel for plants if there is one. I have HEAPS of sand as I have more cichlids than anything.
Thanking you in advance
Keddy

[Graeme]

Hi Mate


as you know there is lots of different substrates available.
I use Eco complete and am pretty happy with it in my tank( i like the black colour)

The best growth i have ever seen was in Alfred's tank.I cant explain how fast plants grow in his tank and the roots are really healthy.
see this link for how he did it

http://www.perthcich...h...860&start=0

I was given access to his tank ( thanks again Alfred) to get some plants from when he stripped it down. I actually struggled to pull some plants out!! I'm not kidding we both laughed at the time about this.
Plants will try to grow anywhere.But they will need somewhere to get their roots into.
Mike( noddy 65) ( funny name even funnier bloke) has a amazing tank with fantastic growth and i think he is using plain old gravel.(I think his tank won that last photo comp on here)

Hope that helps

Graeme

[Keddy]

Hi Graeme
Thanks for that, It has given me a place to start!!!!!!!!! Hopefully it will go ok

Cheers
Keddy

[Alfred]

I must admit that when I first did this it was a gamble, but I am now convinced that this is the way to go, if you do not have to move the tank!


I had to and had to remove everything. I reused most of the gravel after spending an afternoon washing it out. After that it was another $8.00 worth of lily compost and alls good again. The tank has just fully cycled. I got back from a trip to a clear tank and the plants have taken off. Will post a pic as soon as I take a pic.

[Brett]

Gravel alone is not enough to get good plant growth. You need some form of enriched substrate. At the least, add some laterite to the lower layers of the gravel. There are literally dozens of other options/recipes with most people having their favorites.

What do you want to grow, how much do you want to pay, how much mess are you prepared to put up with, do you want to change your plants around a lot .... they all influence the decision.

The main thing is to get it right the first time, it is a bugger to change afterwards

Cheers
Brett

[Alfred]

Listen to the man. He knows what he is talking about!

[Noddy65]

And if I had my time again...Id add something other than just plain old gravel...
I get good grwoth with just the normal aquarium gravel but I cant help feeling that thinsg would be a bit easier if I had a more enriched substrate.

Mike

[Poncho]

Just wondering with regard to laterite as a substrate, are there any treatments or precautions you need to do when using it or do you just dig a bit out of the ground?

[Alfred]

Might be easier to just get a bag form a garden center. Ask for something that has no chemicals in it. Nice and affordable and no back breaking workout!

[Keddy]

Thanks for all the replies!!! Doesnt sound too hard

Cheers
Keddy

[Alfred]

And if I had my time again...Id add something other than just plain old gravel...
I get good grwoth with just the normal aquarium gravel but I cant help feeling that thinsg would be a bit easier if I had a more enriched substrate.

Mike

Mike if your substrate is thick enough, get some lily tabs, break them into bits and insert as deep as you can.

[Alfred]

Gee, somehow that didn't come out right!

[Noddy65]

Hmmm...now that is a good idea...Might give it a go...

Thanks Alfred

Mike

[Alfred]

The tabs MUST be IN the substrate. Make sure that there are no bits left in the water column as that will result in green water.

Try just one tab broken into 4 first, spread in one section of the tank. If you like the plants response, then do another section.

[anchar]

Hmmm...now that is a good idea...Might give it a go...

How did you go Mike....did you insert deep enough?

Andrea

[Noddy65]

Andrea...Ive always been a deep inserter...

[Alfred]

Was it good for the substrate?

[anchar]

Mike...

Andrea

[Alfred]

LOL! At least there is some activity on the forum!

[Noddy65]

Just dont tell my wife :twisted:

Mike