31 What should I put in my substrate?
Description
This article is from the Aquaria: Plants FAQ, by multiple authors.
31 What should I put in my substrate?
Gravel or sand is a good start! Size is an issue; with small grains
the roots might not be able to get a good hold and the sand tends to
compact, while larger gravel has a tendency to collect pockets of
rotting detritus. Most believe the ideal size is 2-3mm (#8) gravel,
while a few others like 1-2mm coarse sand (though it may be harder to
find). Malaysian trumpet snails (see the ALGAE SECTION of the DISEASE
FAQ) will burrow into the substrate and keep it aerated. The bottom
1/3 of the gravel can be supplemented with a fertilizer, of which
popular choices are peat (softens water), laterite (a clay containing
iron, usually used with undergravel heating systems), and soil. One
word of warning: if you use an undergravel filter, it may suck your
fertilizer back into the tank instead of keeping it with the bottom of
the gravel. Dupla makes special laterite balls which can be used in an
UGF (though expensive).
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