Substrates

Substrate in the aquarium is important for plant growth and bacteria production. In planted tanks the correct choice of substrate is important when caring for concentrated plant life in the aquarium. Nature provides plants with soils, sands and gravels rich in nutrients from shoreline runoff and rainwater. A planted aquarium is closed off to its surroundings. Adding a nutrient rich substrate is essential for the continued success and growth of your aquatic plants.
Plants in the aquarium feed from the roots and the quality of the substrate will affect their color, growth and size. Popular aquascaping plants have different reuqirements due to their root structures and growth patterns. For example HC and Glossostigma excel with finer, high nutrient substrates.
Quality aquascaping substrates can elevate the inital cost of owning a planted aquarium. These substrates however will often last the life of the aquarium making them one of the best investments during setup phase. A poor quality substrate will very be difficult to change after adding water and aquatic life.

1. Plain Gravel

  • For the planted aquarium plain gravel is not a recommended substrate due to it's inert nature and inability to supply aquatic plants with necessary nutrients. To be effective it should be mixed with at least 50% of a nutrient rich additive or commercial auqatic soil.

    • Advantages- Very cheap substrate, very likely to be inert and not intefere with water pH.

    • Disadvantages- No added value to plants and does not distribute nutrients required in a heavily planted tank to aid growth and health.

2. Aquasoil

Aqua soil is great for both backrgound rooted plants and also perfect for small foreground plants as a substrate. It has an excellent composition of nutrients for aquatic plants. In addition it will drop the ph to just under 7 which is preferable in a planted tank but may cause complications with some fish species. Make sure to check your pH requirements before you use this substrate. GardenAquaria recommends using AQUARIO Neo Soil or ADA Amazonia aqua soil

    • Advantages- Excellent for all types of aquatic plants. Drops pH to optimal planting level.

    • Disadvantages- Expensive initial cost and may make pH unsuitable for fish species that require higher pH.

3. Clay or laterite

  • This substrate can be very effective if topped with a layer of gravel that will not allow the substrate to displace or cloud the water. It can become messy to set up and leave the aquarium very cloudy if done incorrectly. Moving plants may be an issue and can leave the aquarium cloudy for periods of time after. Clay/laterite should be used by only experienced aquarists.

    • Advantages- Dense nutrient rich base. Very cost effective compared to other commercial substrates.

    • Disadvantages- Difficult to use and setup. Can leave the tank cloudy for periods of time.

4. DIY Soil/Peat Moss Mix (Dirted tank)

  • DIY in any part of a freshwater aquarium is a great choice and means you can create the substrate yourself for a very reasonable cost. There are countless guides on how to do this and many include specific brands of soil and peat moss that are appropriate for aquarium use. Do not use any soils before doing serious research as they can be laced with toxic fertilizers or phosphates that are detrimental to your aquarium.

    • Advantages- The cheapest option for an aquascaping substrate.

    • Disadvantages- Finding appropriate low phosphate peat moss is difficult and risky

5. Additives such as root tabs or pellets

  • Tabs and fertilizer pellets aid large root plants by delivering nutrients in the tank only in the areas they are needed. Pellets can be placed in an inert substrate such as gravel at the root base of large aquatic plants. This can act as a substitute to using an organic substrate allowing the enthusiast to use any type, color or texture of substrate in its place.

    • Advantages- Cost effective as only used in areas where planting occurs.

    • Disadvantages- Low foreground plants have short root systems that would be unable to access nutrients.