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i'm upgrading my 40g planted tank into a 60g, so throught a good time to add something to the new gravel to help my plants grow better.

at the momment i only have river gravel as substrate, plants are doing ok, but could be better.

what should i mix with the gravel to help plants, or something under gravel?

suggestions please.

shekoi.

www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk

Hi shekoi,

I know there are various options for substrates, like Eco Complete for example.

I use Gravel and mix the bottom 3rd with Laterite. So far it has given me good results. It is an Iron rich compound and should not be introduced into the water column.

I am sure that others will tell you more about what they use.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

thanks for reply

looked up about eco complete. it says best on it's own, would pefer to mix with gravel. found seachem flourite, which can be mixed is this any good?


also what do people think of heater cables, say they help keep heathly roots, and aid bacteria in the gravel?

anyboby got these cables?

www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk

Hi,
There have been a series of articles written about the
various types of substrates. Some give their pros and cons,
while others produce "just the facts" and allow the reader
to make the choice.

Try this site:
[link=http://home.infinet.net/teban/substrat.htm]http://home.infinet.net/teban/substrat.htm" style="COLOR: #FF00FF[/link]
or:
[link=http://home.infinet.net/teban/substrat.htm#peat]http://home.infinet.net/teban/substrat.htm#peat" style="COLOR: #FF00FF[/link]
or:
[link=http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/plant_substrates.php]http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/plant_substrates.php" style="COLOR: #FF00FF[/link]

These should get you started...

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hello,

Have a look at what http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk have to offer, and they have a lot to offer.

They also have a this product which you mix with half of your gravel and put the rest of the gravel on top. I bought one myself but have not yet got around to use it, but have heard good things about it.

You can always drop them an email as well and ask what they think would suit you best. Richard, the owner, is a great guy and the service is the best I've ever had from an online retailer.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: About the cables, I have just bought one myself but will only start using it from this weekend after I finish setting up my new tank. The reason I decided to use them is that I noticed that now with our recent cold weather my gravel is about 1c colder than the rest of the tank. I do suspect it effects the plants as recently non of them really root as they used to. I'm also thinking how this might affect the fish.

Last edited by Untitled No. 4 at 02-Dec-2005 16:14

I mixed flourite with regular gravel and had great results. It was definitely better than plain old gravel. Especially for the heavy rooters like crypts and swords.

I think the consensus is that heating cables do have some benefit, but aren't really necessary. They are kind of an added bonus. Most people have great plant growth without them.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients