Type of gravel and sand

[Rokerites]

Though I have kept aquarium for 5 years now, but has always been using very basic setup. Has my knowledge of all this equipment, sand, ... are therefore basic as well. Never really go deep into it.
After joining AQ, I am stunted by the sheer number of the type of sand available to planted tank aquarist.
Lapis sand, holland sand, ADA power sand, ADA aquasoil, gravel.....??????
This is really bewildering
Would the veterens and more experience AQ members help me by giving me a lesson in all this base medium, as I know base medium is a vital part of a successful planted tank.
Honestly didn't know AQ existed all this years. It really is a fantastic Website

[|squee|]

For me, a substrate consists of base fertiliser + gravel on top.

A basic substrate system can consist of JBL Aquabasis Plus (base fert) and Lapis sand on top (gravel).

There are many other combinations available, it's just up to the user to select what brand of base fert he/she wants along with the brand of gravel.

ADA Aquasoil (you could call this gravel) is meant to go with ADA Powersand (thus you could call this base fert) according to the company ADA. Aquasoil is often used by itself however, since it seems to be good enough on its own.

Lapis sand and ADA Aquasoil are commonly found, along with Dennerle sand, Ocean-Free, blah blah. There are a lot! I think the other forum members will introduce you better