Fluval Stratrum Vs. Dirt or other substrates.
Hello everyone,
I need some help with my 5.5 gallon planted tank. I've been in the hobby for 11 years but just got into plants. I have Cryps, amazon swords, and anubias. I want to add more plants like ludwigia and maybe some more cryps. However I want to upgrade my substrate first. I'm running it low tech. I have a Finnex Stingray Clip on light, I put H20 root tabs in every 2 months, and I'm dosing half ML of Flourish once a week. My cryps are growing well, my amazon sword has shot out 6 new stems and I already trimmed some. Alge is barely growing. I feel like I have pretty good balance. Again though I want more plants but feel like root tabs won't be enough. I want to know if Fluval Stratum or dirt substrate is better. Even another substrate, but I can't find good answers on the internet because everyone has success and failures with both. I'm just trying to find what is right for me.
MIMI
The plants you have mentioned are all easily grown in low tech tanks. From what you've described its sounds as though your tank is already a success. I would be hesitant to "dirt" a small tank as it is messy if you decide to move plants and is unnecessary. I have successfully kept crypts, swords, lugwigia and anubias in basic aquarium gravel with the addition of root tabs. Personally, I prefer
Ecocomplete as a substrate due to its attractiveness and its ease of planting. Ultimately substrate is a personal preference. Feel free to drop into chat and get more input!
Sep 25, 2018
Philip
Sep 25, 2018