Planted substrate

[Scot]

What is the best substrate for a planted tank. I bought Seachem Florite today and it seems really messy.

Anyone use this stuff or have any other suggestions.

[MarineGP]

Messy but great for plants ...




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[Scot]

It is the clay/gravel that I have.

Should it be washed first?

[Scot]

Decided to go with caribsea eco complete. I can add this directly to my establish aquarium with no side effects it seems.

[Leigh Partridge]

I believe they all need rinsed well at first if they state it or not. I've used flourite and although I prefer what im using now (Fluval stratum - similar to eco complete), at least flourite was much easier to clean due to its weight.

[Scot]

The caribsea product I went with is great. Does not need to be rinsed. Its packed in water with beneficial bacteria. Can be added to an established aquarium right out of the bag.

[Sitka]

I believe they all need rinsed well at first if they state it or not. I've used flourite and although I prefer what im using now (Fluval stratum - similar to eco complete), at least flourite was much easier to clean due to its weight.

I like Fluorite Black as well for my planted tanks. Amazonia is nice, but you need a good two months of daily water changes to get rid of the ammonia it leeches. I found stratum to be small, extremely light weight, and thus and very easily disturbed by any amount of water movement.

Having said that, the worst stuff I have ever used (insofar as mess is concerned), was Fluorite Natural and Fluorite Red. It may as well have been brick dust. I rinsed that stuff so much it was ridiculous. Even after all that rinsing, and a year of water changes, I'll bet I could do a couple of swirls in the tank and completely cloud it red again. :D