Substrates for Planted Aquariums Info

This is everything there is to know about what to use in your Aquariums with
plants & fish,  there's a LOT of how to's in Videos on what to use, how to use,
what not to use & so forth, but this is the KNOW how & what it does & just a
over all about different Substrates.

Substrates also help keep fish feces and food waste at the bottom of the tank
instead of floating freely around the fish tank and polluting the water. The
layer of substrate in the bottom holds the waste within it after the waste sinks
to the bottom of the tank.

Adding a specific type of substrate can add a particular type of nutrients or
substance into the water, which can affect and control the level of pH in the
tank according to the needs of your fish and plants.

The substrate provides an aesthetic and natural environment for the fish.
In nature, the bottoms of the oceans, lakes, and rivers are not bare. They
are covered in sand, mud, pebbles, or some sort of natural materials.

Having these materials at the bottom of the tank help the fish and other
creatures feel more familiar and comfortable in their living environment.

This substrate provides a source of multiple nutrients. Many of these are
necessary for the growth of plants and the overall water environment in
the tank. Different substrates have different qualities and characteristics.

There are quite a few ways to pave the bottom of your fish tanks, and
more than one type of substrate you can use. Here are a few of the most
popular substrates among aquarium hobbyists.

Aquarium Gravel

Gravel has always been the most popular aquarium substrate, mostly
because of its lack of complexity. It is an ideal medium for most tanks
and for any type of fish or aquatic creatures.

Aquarium gravel is a bit different from the gravel you see on the street.
The aquarium gravel is shaped to have smoother edges, so it can’t damage
your fish and will not easily move around. 

Aquarium Sand

Sand is another common substrate used in many tanks, especially beginners’
tanks. Sand is ideal for fish that like to dig and bury themselves. If you have
one of those fish, sand would be your go-to choice.

However, because of how small sand particles are, they can easily cause damage
to the filters if your fish are the types that like to stir up the sand.

Coral Sand

Even though it is called “coral sand”, it would be more correct to call it
“coral gravel”. It looks much more like gravel than sand. This substrate is
made of calcium carbonate and it will slowly dissolve in water over time.

Coral sand serves a bigger purpose than just being tank decoration. The
dissolving process works as a counterbalance to acid build-up and decaying
organic matter in the aquarium. The coral sand will raise the pH level in the
tank, making the water more alkaline, which makes coral sand an ideal
substrate for your tank if you have fish that prefer water with higher pH levels.

Marble Chippings

Marble chippings are in many ways very similar to coral sand. They are a
calcium carbonate based substrate, but heavier and not as porous as coral sand.

You can purchase marble chippings as substitute for coral sand because of its
cheaper price tag, however it will not as effective in raising the pH level of your
tank as real coral sand.

Marbles

You may have seen marbles in many tanks before. They are normally flat and
spherical. They come in many colors, giving you many options to decorate your
tanks any way you want.

However, marbles are not usually the best substrate because of the big gaps
between the individual marbles. These gaps can trap large items of food between
them and inhibit the growth of beneficial bacteria in the tank.

On the other hand, it is a great substrate for breeding tanks. The eggs will fall
between those big gaps, and will therefore be safe from being eaten by other
fish in the tank.

Soil-like Substrate

Yes, this substrate looks like soil, especially in color: dark and gray or black.
It can be as fine as sand or each particle can be little tiny balls. Regardless of
the specific shape of each particle, the substrate is generally tightly packed.
It also has multiple beneficial nutrients for your tank.

This substrate is most suitable for planted aquariums. The nutrients provided
by the substrate will help the plants grow, and the tightly packed texture helps
the plants’ roots take a strong stable hold in the substrate.

"REMINDER"

You can mix and match the soil-like substrate with a little of other substrates
if you want other effects for your tank. Just remember to be careful and make
sure you understand what each type of substrate does for your tank’s overall
environment before putting them in the tank.

There is a minimum level. The substrate level in your tank should not be any
less than 1”. The rule of thumb is in order to achieve a 1” bed, you will need
to use 1 lb of substrate per gallon of your tank size. For example, to create a
1” bed in a 10 gallons tank, you will need from 10 to 20 lbs of substrate. If
you want a 2” bed then use 2 lbs per gallon, and so on.

How to Set up Substrate for Planted Aquarium

Here is how to apply a complete aquarium substrate. All the products listed
above are complete aquarium substrate, which means you will not need anything
else but that one product to set up your tank.

if you use a fertilized substrate or any substrate that you think contains many
nutrients and chemical compounds, you should wait a week or so before adding
fish to your tank. During that time, ammonia and nitrite levels will spike up,
creating a very suitable environment for useful bacteria to grow in the planted
aquarium, yet making the environment uninhabitable for fish. To be safe, check
the ammonia and nitrite level before placing fish in the tank later.

Eco Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate

This product comes in a twenty-pound bag. It is a complete substrate for freshwater
tank use. This one substrate provides for all your plants’ needs without having to add
any other extra substrate or chemical.

Not only beneficial for plants, this product is also good for your fish. The substrate
has highly porous spherical grains for higher diffusion performance, so the waste is
less likely to remain on the surface but will be diffused and absorbed into the layer
of substrate.

Flourite Black> {THIS IS the 1 I WANT}

It is not coated or treated with any chemicals, therefore it will contain no substance
that will be harmful to your tank. It also has the ability to maintain the pH level of
the tank without disturbing the overall water quality.

It is not necessary to mix with anything additional. It is fully functional without gravel
modifiers such as laterite.

This substrate is a specially fracted stable porous clay gravel. It makes it easy for the
food waste from the fish to be easily dissolved into the layer of substrate, keeping the
water clean and healthy for the fish.

This substrate has an especially long life. When using Fluorite Black, you will never
need to worry about replacing it with a newer batch, since the substrate stays effective
for the life of your aquarium.

CONS> Releases clay dust when first used

it will quickly sink and dissolve, and the water will be clear again.

YOU TUBE vids on  SUBSTRATES for your tanks

                                                                      PEA GRAVEL

This would be the CHEAP & EASY way to go but I'd use it as a CAP for 1 of the

other substrates at the START of this post I listed  so your plants have the stuff they need.

                                                           Flourite Black

                                                          

                                                              Soil-like Substrate

There are a LOT of different stuff you CAN use but being safe is the MAIN thing
like kitty litter & blasting sand & all kinds of stuff but it HAS to be SAFE 1st.

Something that you HAVE to consider when doing a substrate is the pros & cons

Well there's what videos I thought would be the MOST helpful on this topic
I hope this helps you out on just what you want to use as a substrate in your tank
& always "ALWAYS" think before you do & most of ALL do your research.

Thank you for being here & if you want please leave your comments for others to
learn from your experience & help the new comers along the way thank you all.