tom,
i take exception to your reply. seems pretty arrogant and haughty, but that's your style. your response that "...I can afford pretty much anything I want..." though, is over the top. not all of us are in the same financial situation. not all of us share the same level of passion that you and others hold for the hobby. not all of us are willing to put as much money and time (a much more precious resource to me) as you do.
you've said many a time, the first question one must ask oneself is what does one want to get out of a planted tank?
i am very satisfied with my plain sand/turface substrate and ei methodology. i don't need to try the more demanding plants like tonina. i don't feel the need to rip out my newly established glosso lawn, and replace it with hc. would i like to? yeah, sure, why not. would i want to devote the TIME and money to do so? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
AS is $50 for a 9l bag--good enough for one 20 gal tank--bought either online or at a lfs. my way would cost ten times less. is AS 10 times better?
i guess a better question would be, am i "cheap"?
