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Originally Posted by Bayleo
Speaking of substrate, I'm curious as to what you were using in your tanks PJAN, I personally don't think the black of eco-complete or even the grey of Onyx sand correctly compliment the green shades of plants. I'm guessing you used some type of small pea gravel w/ something for iron (laterite)...? At any rate, where did you find the stuff?
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Sorry, missed your question.
In Holland we don't have eco-complete or flourite. Simply not available.
I use gravel 1 - 2 mm , white ( or almost white) colored. On the bottom I use just a little loam , laterite and some peat. Not much and the layer is about 2 mm thick ( 1/10 inch).
Lotus / big Echinodorus are normally placed in small pots with extra loam / clay and peat. It's easy to move them around if required.
I also inject the gravel with loam if needed.
You can say the substrate (gravel) is relative poor compared to other susbstrates like eco-complete or so. I had my share of nasty algea and using poor gravel is at least one question-mark less if algae appears. I did use heavy substrates, but I suffered always from algae in the beginning.
Now I start with poor substrate and control the plantgrowth with ferts in the water column.
The color of the gravel or top-layer is a matter of personal taste. I prefer light colored substrate and that is not unnatural. Also in nature there are many areas with light sand.
Gr. PJAN