Hello
Regarding the use of soil or gravel as a substrate. I guess u have to first decide the kind of plants and livestock u would like to have.
So u did mention that you are looking to keep some tetra and Molly with shrimps. I guess gravel/ sand will make it easier for you to maintain over soil. Neocaridina shrimps like your fire red / blue/ yellow will do just fine with an inert substrate like your gravel/sand and so does the fishes.
Soil on the other hand will make maintenance slightly more challenging. First the tank will take longer to cycle if u do not have cycled media. As these nutrients rich substrate leeches ammonia, your filter media will need a while to have sufficient beneficial bacteria to help turn these toxins into less harmful NO3. BUT having a nutrients rich substrate will allow you to grow more demanding plants. Plants grow better due to the nutrients made available to them
also not forgetting to mention the mess that soil will create when u add water or water change. In addition to that, what I jus shared are base on my experience of using soil in a fish tank.i dun have any experience with fish pond.
The big LFS in seletar have shifted this year. You can know find them at their new location @ 8 Chencharu Link, Singapore 769197. You should be able to find most of the accessories u need there.
Cheers
Tai
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