laterite vs root tabs

Laterite just makes the elements plants want to use more available. You still need to fertilize even with a high CEC additive.

Laterite is just inert clay and doesn't offer much to the growth of a plant besides providing iron IMO. Still, its better then using plain old gravel. Personally though, I have never used root tabs. I use redsea florabase and azoo plant grower bed in my tanks with stellar results. Its expensive to go this route, and cheaper with mineralized top soil.

I'm running a tank with topsoil currently, going to see how it effects growth.
My killies aren't complaining.

Ok, sand and root tabs then. Thanks!

Laterite, by definition is very nutrient poor. But, it has lots of iron in it. Way back, when dinosaurs still roamed the planted tank world, and chelated iron was not readily available, or at least not available in LFS, people latched onto laterite as a way of avoiding iron deficiencies, which were believed to be the major problem with poor aquatic plant growth. (One of many mistakes being made then.)

Now that few dinosaurs are left in the hobby, laterite isn't used a lot.

I laid down 20 ounces of the stuff in my 60-P for the iron in it.

Wasn't necessary but 20 ounces is such a tiny amount,and I had some store credit, I figured why not cover my bases and add a layer. I was adding half pound layer of crushed tourmaline and some carbon down before the aquasoil anyway so I figured why not add some just to be safe.

If I could go back I would have kept my credit, but I don't feel bad for knowing it's down in there. Just a waste of credit.

what the best plant substrate then and could I mix it with fine-very fine sand possibly gravel