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I have decided to give my bettas some plants, and to change the decor a little in my 30 gallon tank. What I want to do is get some small terra cotta pots and plant some plants in them using potting soil, and covering the top of the soil with aquarium gravel. What should I look for in a suitable potting soil for the job? Anything I should avoid altogether? Has anyone had much luck with this method? Ultimately I want to do my new 75 gallon (still waiting for me to make all the decisions I want to make before setting it up) withOUT the use of flourite. I would really prefer just using gravel since I have found the flourite to be so messy, but I also want to have thriving live plants. Any thoughts or suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

When rinsed properly, flourite is no more messy than regular aquarium gravel.

I've heard of using potting soil...but I've also heard that this can be quite a messy experience. I'd also be somewhat apprehensive about what is in the potting soil - like nitrogens, phosphates, and potash that could diminish the water quality for your bettas.

You could try root tabs, like the ones made by Seachem, in regular aquarium gravel. Those are used to enrich substrates for root feeders.

[span class="edited"][Edited by EdgarFanCLS 2004-08-09 12:00][/span]

I have used a laterite gravel mixture in terra cotta pots for planting without problems. I assume flourite would work the same. The mixture doesn't have to be disturbed under water, the pot can be removed for replanting, etc. I have never tried potting soil so I don't know if plants would do better in soil than the gravel mixture. I also add root tabs to my pots.
I originally tried potting plants because I wanted a tank without substrate. The tank is decorated with the potted plants and a couple of pieces of wood and it is extremely easy to clean. The pots can be stacked to bring some plants closer to the lightsource.

Okay, I will just use the flourite in the pots, with a covering of aquarium gravel. I am just not all that wild about the flourite. I will also go out and get some root tabs for the plants. Thanks so much for the replies.

Hi
As far as potting or garden soil is concerned, use
only "pure" soil. Do not use the stuff that has the
foam beads (pearlite) in it, and do not use the stuff
that is called "enriched," "fortified," etc. The
"extra" stuff will raise cain with an aquarium.

Cap the topsoil/potting soil with a layer of gravel
and things should be fine. Remember the drain hole
in the bottom of the pot! I't will leak soil all
over if you are not careful.

Frank

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