Question on Substrate

**dinosaur** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:02

Hi all,

I have just started on creating a planted aquarium and had some queries on the substrate.

1) Is sand considered a substrate?
2) Why is it that i sometimes see people putting in things like JBL subtrate before putting in the sand?

Thanks

**dinosaur** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:02

Hi all,

I have just started on creating a planted aquarium and had some queries on the substrate.

1) Is sand considered a substrate?
2) Why is it that i sometimes see people putting in things like JBL subtrate before putting in the sand?

Thanks

**dinosaur** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:02

Hi all,

I have just started on creating a planted aquarium and had some queries on the substrate.

1) Is sand considered a substrate?
2) Why is it that i sometimes see people putting in things like JBL subtrate before putting in the sand?

Thanks

**dinosaur** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:02

Hi all,

I have just started on creating a planted aquarium and had some queries on the substrate.

1) Is sand considered a substrate?
2) Why is it that i sometimes see people putting in things like JBL subtrate before putting in the sand?

Thanks

**budak** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:09

ideal substrate for planted tanks is about 2-3 mm in diameter. Strictly speaking, few people use sand, which is too fine. The &quot;sand&quot; people usually use is the Lonestar fine pebbles sold in many LFS (do a search for Lonestar on the forum for where to buy).

The JBL stuff is not substrate but base fert for plants. you need the substrate on top to keep the base fert from clouding the water.

**dinosaur** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:13

Is the base fertilizer a necessary item in a planted tank??

**budak** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:17

IMO, yes. &quot;Sand&quot; or Lonestar and other substrate typically contain no nutrients which plants need.

Search 'base fert' on the forum to find more information in past threads.

**benetay** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:18

Base fert IMHO too is impt in a planted tank.

**vinz** · 2nd Oct 2002, 14:36

Substrate refers to the whole mass of gravel, sand, soil, base fert, pebbles etc in which the roots grow.

A good planted tank substrate consist of a thick layer of base fert. Covered by a layer of gravel.

The base fert can be specially prepared mixtures by brands like JBL, OR some of us use aquatic compost, coco peat, gardening soil etc. Base fert provides a nutritious substrate for the plants to grow. JBL AquaBasis is an affordable and pretty good base fert to use.

The gravel is usually about 1 inch thick only. The size of the gravel grains should be 2 to 3mm diameter. Its main purpose is to cover the base fert and prevent it from clouding the water.

**szesteve** · 3rd Oct 2002, 11:09

Have u guys come across a small pot of JBL base fert before? I'm using that for my 2 ft tank and is supposed to be some concentrate cos it's in small rock particles which break down on contact with water.