From Play Sand to Power Sand, we’ve got an in-depth article about their pros and cons.
Substrates are designed to anchor the plants and to help provide nutrients to the plant roots. Specialist planted aquarium substrates and additives will help any aquatic plant with roots to grow more vigorously. Most plants prefer to obtain their required nutrients through their roots. Plain gravel can be used exclusively, relying purely on dosing the water with liquid fertilisers to feed the plant leaves. However, to give the plants the best chance of success and healthy growth, it is good idea to use specialised substrates or plain gravel/sand with some added nutrient-rich products, in conjunction with liquid fertilisers.
Planted tank substrate products can be divided into three main categories –
Complete aquarium substrates are designed to be used alone as a complete product. The entire composition should have ideal grain size complete with a host of nutrients. They are generally the most expensive but can yield the best results. Different colours and grain sizes are available to suit individual requirements.
Base layers/additives are typically laid on the bottom layer of the aquarium and topped with an appropriate plain gravel or sand. A grain size of 1-4mm is ideal, preferably lime-free. These are relatively inexpensive but may not be as effective as a complete substrate. When uprooting plants, migration of the nutrient-rich additives into the upper levels can occur causing potential clouding.
Tablets, capsules, sticks, balls are products that are added to specific areas of an already installed substrate/gravel/sand, ideal for targeting specific plants. These can be ideal for re-generating older/stale substrates or for aquarium owners that wish to convert their existing tank into a planted set-up without the need to replace the entire substrate. They are also ideal for feeding very root-hungry plants such as Amazon swords and crypts.
I will review each product and do have personal experience of most of the products mentioned and those I have not used myself, I know reliable sources that have.
Aquarium Substrate
Aquarium substrate like Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate are great to use when planning a new aquarium. A thin layer under the gravel ensures optimal growth in the future to come!
A concentrate, used under gravel when planning the aquarium
Ensures healthy and long-term growth
Is neutral and does not affect the KH or pH value of the water
The substrate absorbs nutrients and makes them available for plant roots
How to use the product
Plant Growth Substrate is laid in a 1 cm thick layer on the bottom of the aquarium, when the aquarium is built. The table below provides recommended Plant Growth Substrate amounts for a number of standard aquarium sizes
Aquarium Soil
Aquarium Soil is used for planning a new aquarium. It is a complete bottom layer, which can be used without any other types of bottom layer – see how to use it here.
Aquarium Soil is a complete bottom layer, which can be used without any other types of bottom layer
The grain size of 2-3 mm makes it easy for planting
Aquarium Soil ensures proper growth and stimulates red colours
How to use the product
Aquarium Soil ensures good and active growth from the beginning, and boosts the red plant shades.
It is a complete substrate, which can be used without any other types of bottom layer.
Aquarium Soil is further an active bottom layer that lowers the pH value and slightly affects the water chemistry. We recommend that you change 25-50% of the water min. twice a week during the first 4 weeks after establishing the aquarium.
How do I calculate the quantity of Soil or Soil Powder needed for my tank?
Measure your tank’s length and width in cm, for example 90 x 60 cm.
Consider the thickness of the bottom layer you want, e.g. 8 cm. Make the layer thicker towards the rear wall for a great visual effect!
The calculation to do is length x width x layer divided by 1000.
Aquarium Soil Powder
Aquarium Soil Powder is used when planning a new aquarium. The fine-grained active bottom layer is especially suitable for front plants – see how to use it here.
Aquarium Soil Powder is a complete active bottom layer, which can be used without any other types of bottom layer.
The attractive grain size makes it suitable for foreground plants.
Aquarium Soil Powder ensures proper growth and stimulates the colour development.
How to use the product
Aquarium Soil Powder ensures good and active growth from the beginning, and boosts the red plant shades. It is a complete bottom layer, which can be used without any other types of bottom layer. Aquarium Soil Powder is further an active bottom layer that lowers the pH value and slightly affects the water chemistry. We recommend that you change 25-50% of the water min. twice a week during the first 4 weeks after establishing the aquarium.
How do I calculate the quantity of Soil or Soil Powder needed for my tank?
Measure your tank’s length and width in cm, for example 90 x 60 cm.
Consider the thickness of the bottom layer you want, e.g. 8 cm. Make the layer thicker towards the rear wall for a great visual effect!
The calculation to do is length x width x layer divided by 1000.
Aquarium Plant Nutrition Capsules
Nutrition Capsules is an extra nutrient supplement – use tweezers to place the capsule in the gravel, close to the roots of fast-growing plants.
Nutrition Capsules contain both nitrogen, phosphor, iron and micro nutrients.
The nutrients are slowly released as the plants need them.
Use Nutrition Capsules for stem plants, Cryptocoryne, Echinodorus, Vallisneria etc. – all plants with sturdy roots.
How to use the product
Nitrogen, phosphor, iron and manganese, as well as all vital micro nutrients are released by the capsules over a period of 1-2 months. Place the capsules close to the roots of large solitary plants and plants with sturdy roots.
The capsules do not fully decompose and the small balls inside the capsules will remain in the substrate after all nutrients have been released. The balls are made of resin, which is biologically harmless.
Aquarium Sand
Aquarium Substrates like Seachem Flourite Sand is a specially fracted stable porous clay gravel for the natural planted aquarium. Its appearance is best suited to planted aquaria, but may be used in any freshwater aquarium environment. Flourite Sand is most effective when used alone as an integral substrate bed, but it may be mixed with other gravels. Gravel modifiers such as laterite are not necessary. Flourite Sand is not chemically coated or treated and will not alter the pH of the water. Flourite Sand is good for the life of the aquarium and need not be replaced.
Set-up
Although it is pre-washed, because Flourite is a natural product, it may become dusty in transit and require rinsing before use to remove any residual dust.
When adding water to aquarium, fill slowly to avoid disturbing Flourite substrate bed. Place a bowl in the aquarium and add water directly to the bowl, allowing water to overflow softly on to the gravel bed. Initial cloudiness is normal. To remove cloudiness, use mechanical filtration (such as filter floss). Use Clarity to accelerate clearing.
Why do aquariums have a substrate?
Below are the most common reasons why a substrate is used in aquariums…
1. Good looking – Let’s be realistic. The main reason people use a substrate is because it enhances the look of the aquarium.
2. It’s natural – Do fish in the wild have a glass-bottomed habitat? No. By using a substrate, you are creating a more natural environment for your fish.
3. Enhances your fish – You can use the substrate to make your fish pop. Dark fish are easier to see on a light-colored substrate while light-colored fish are easier to see on a dark substrate.
4. It houses bacteria – You know those beneficial bacteria that take part in the nitrogen cycle? While the majority of them live in your filter, some also cover the substrate of your aquarium. In fact, you can use the substrate from an established tank to make your brand new aquarium cycle faster
5. Plants need it – Plant roots need to go somewhere. Without a substrate, your plants will float to the top of your tank.
As you see, there are some pretty compelling reasons to use a substrate in your aquarium.
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Which substrate is right for your aquarium?
The substrate should complement everything else that you place in your tank.
For instance, if you want to create a planted tank, you want a substrate that supports the roots of your plants, like soil. Likewise, if you have bottom-dwelling fish, you want a smooth, rounded substrate – a sharp substrate can injure your fish.[1]
Don’t forget, you can layer multiple substrates to take advantage of the benefits each one provides.
You can layer sand over soil, for instance, to give your aquarium a light-colored bottom while the soil is still able to provide nutrients to plant roots.
Because of these variables, there is no single “best substrate.” What is right for my tank might not be suitable for yours.
So, before you run out and buy any old substrate, think long and hard about what you plan to stock in your tank – it will determine the right substrate.
It’s important to choose the right substrate in the beginning. Once your aquarium is completely set up and stocked with fish, changing the substrate is a difficult and time-consuming process.
Having a clean fish tank is one of the most important aspect to fish keeping. so it’s good to have a good combination of filters in your fish tank because they help to get rid of the harmful substances in your tap water. like Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite chlorine and reduces Alge. Don’t forget that Nitrate, Nitrite are two different things, and that chlorine should be removed from the water before adding to your fish tank.
Here Are Some Of the Products I Use And Highley Recommend For Your Fish Tanks And Aquariums
Fluval Cycle and Aquaplus Water Treatment Pack
Immediately establishes safe biological aquarium environment
Powerful responsive ammonia and nitrite elimination
Prevents fish loss
Allows immediate introduction of fish
Testing shows the water quality stays consistently good, the pH is buffered and water clarity is excellent. I have previously used multiple API and Tetra products but will continue to use this instead. I have no complaints and highly recommend you try this you will love the results.
Water Clarifier for freshwater aquariums
Powerful responsive ammonia and nitrite elimination
Immediately establishes a safe environment
Maintaining Crystal Clear Water
By following each of these steps, you should be able to eliminate the key problems that can cause any cloudiness in your tank, and they will help create a thriving environment for your fish to inhabit – making that crystal clear paradise a true reality.
If any discolouration or cloudiness returns, don’t rush too quickly to fix it, as this can often fix itself naturally as part of your tank’s cycle.
Fluval Co2 Pressurized Kit
Fluval CO2 compressed kits come complete with all the tools needed to grow lush and vibrant plants in your aquarium
JBL ProFlora Bio80, Bio-CO2 system with glass diffuser
Natural: CO2 production from biological fermentation process. No pressurised gas cylinder needed,
These Fish Tank cleaning Products Are Amazing! They really do work. My tank is crystal clear and there seem to be NO nitrate or nitrite levels to worry about. I’ve only been using it for a while in a 6 foot tank that has just recently been set up. There are plants in the tank along with a Few Fish And Everything seems really happy.
We Do Recommend These if you are still looking what to feed your freshwater fish then try feeding your fish these.
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