Is a subtrate needed to grow freshwater aquarium plants other than the gravel they sell at petsmart?

Answer 1

That somewhat depends on the type of plants you want to keep, but generally aquarium gravel will make a good substrate for plants. If you want to have a heavily planted tank, you will need a few additives possibly. Things like laterite clay or peat moss are used for different types of plants and different tank set ups. Plants are just as diverse as fish and care should be taken to provide for specific plants just as you would for specific fish. I would suggest you spend some time browsing planted tank web sites as well as picking up a good planted aquarium book.

It really isn't just a matter of dropping in the plants as I'm sure you realize, but specific plants do need to be addressed in specific ways and depending on your plant load and selection you will have to address substrate, lighting, fertilizers and other water chemistry; so grab a book and read through it, that will give you the majority of the info you need to get started.

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

I currently have a 30 gallon tall tank that is a totally naturally planted tank but I don't use a substrate; just your average small/medium sized gravel.

Now, don't expect very delicate or "difficult" plants to do very well, but in my opinion, you don't need a very nice substrate to grow plants. You can get along with normal gravel just fine, as long as all the other conditions are right.

From what I have experienced, the most important factors in determining how well plants will do are:

a) Lighting:
If you have a good, new bulb that replicates the light wavelengths produced by natural sunlight, you should do well. Make sure the bulb is bright enough to give the plants adequate light.

b) Oxygen/CO2 levels
If you have lots of fish, you'll probably notice better growth in your plants, because of all the extra co2 (carbon-dioxide gas) waste produced by the fish. Plants need a good amount of CO2, so the more the better (for the plants, at least :P ) Also, the more plants you have the better your fish will do! (all the extra oxygen waste from the plants)

c) Plant nutrients/food
Make sure you feed your plants with special freshwater plant food. I usually feed my plants about once a week.

So far, all my plants have done very well... I've been a bit surprised myself :P

In my tank right now:

-2 Amazon sword (used to be only one, but the first did so well it split into two!)
-3 Hygrophila
-1 Flame Ivy (Hemigraphis colorata)
-Couple bunches of Hornwort

Answer 3

Imo the best substrate for aquarium plants is Eco Complete. Although it is possible to keep plants in both sand and gravel.

Keeping plants is no easy task, I have tried my hand at it but I can recommend java fern as a very good first plant. It seems to grow pretty well under any conditions without the need for CO2 or additional fertilizers.