The Planted Tank Forum - View Single Post - new to planted tank, need help selecting substrate

willito · 11-21-2008, 08:28 AM

Hello I am new here as I am to this ever exploding and vast community of planted aquarium enthusiasts. My first project entails setting up a new 25g planted. To start off, I need some help selecting a substrate type/brand. I've never kept live plants before but certainly have knowledge of fundamental biology and chemistry. With experience in reef keeping and breeding cichlids for many years, I thought I try plants.

Quick info on new setup.
25g tall
2x65w PC
canister filter (350g/hr)
co2 injection (don't know which method yet)
want to keep a large group of Cardinal tetras and others
want to keep an array of different plants (easy colorful ones to start)

I've read that selecting substrate should be for functionality and not purely on presentation. So tell what I need for a beginners tank. Please don't use acronyms as I have no idea what they are. Please be specific with names and types of media. Cheers.

11-21-2008, 08:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
willito Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 10	new to planted tank, need help selecting substrate Hello I am new here as I am to this ever exploding and vast community of planted aquarium enthusiasts. My first project entails setting up a new 25g planted. To start off, I need some help selecting a substrate type/brand. I've never kept live plants before but certainly have knowledge of fundamental biology and chemistry. With experience in reef keeping and breeding cichlids for many years, I thought I try plants. Quick info on new setup. 25g tall 2x65w PC canister filter (350g/hr) co2 injection (don't know which method yet) want to keep a large group of Cardinal tetras and others want to keep an array of different plants (easy colorful ones to start) I've read that selecting substrate should be for functionality and not purely on presentation. So tell what I need for a beginners tank. Please don't use acronyms as I have no idea what they are. Please be specific with names and types of media. Cheers.