Best plant substrate

Ok I will be setting up a 5 gallon planted tank soon. I was wondering which substrate is best. Flourite black sand, Ecco complete, fluval stratum, Ada soil, or regular flourite. Although I don't want the mess of a dirted tank. Any suggestions?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Peter on November 26, 2013 at 9:11pm

For a 5 gallon the best "looking" sub would be ada or flourite sand but really its up to wat u like. They all are going to grow plants great so their really isnt a "best" substrate

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack on November 27, 2013 at 11:28pm

I am thinking the flourite sand but will be researching ada

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cire Loknok on April 13, 2014 at 7:13pm

If you don't want to dirt it, Ada soil is the best that you mentioned. Dirt does work the best though. It helps to stick some balls of red clay, and crushed up clam shells. These help add iron to the water, and magnesium.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Suzanne Hedges on April 16, 2014 at 9:20am

I agree...I would add that a great "crushed up clam shell " mix you'll find at a farm store. It's the grit I used for chickens. It's crushed coral and crushed shells. Perfect and ready to go!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack on April 16, 2014 at 9:38am

Yes I have dirted in the past and it does work well. It's just the mess it makes that I don't like it. I also may have dirted it wrong because when I was undirting the tank it smelt toxic.