[Matt.radich]

I have been reading a lot lately, but I am still just not sure what to use for my substrate in my low tech planted tank that I am going to be starting soon. I just want to hear the pro's and cons of what you guys use and what I should use.

 

[hobos]

Just plain old gravel for me . No root tabs but I am thinking about adding sum ,liquid ferts no vacuuming 75% water change weekly but I’m slightly over stocked hopefully that won’t be a problem after Christmas

 

[Matt.radich]

Ok, I was thinking just plain black sand for my tank, would help the colors pop.

But I guess I could ask this question too, I am doing a mini 2.5 gallon rcs tank, would black petco sand be fine for that as well?

 

[dmachado]

Mineralized soil...

Here's my tank:

Forget about brand soils...

 

[Diana]

Use a material with some cationic exchange capacity.
Some of the commercial aquarium materials, Safe-T-Sorb, or certain garden soils are good.
Sand or gravel are not. They might be OK as a cap.