Should I change my AquaClay substrate??

[illumnae]

My 4x2x2 tank is languishing quite badly, and my dad finally decided that it's about time we did something about it and wants to tear it down and redo it into a proper planted tank. the thing is, when i first got this tank, i was pretty clueless and a LFS owner recommended me this biogravel to use. it's similar to Ocean Free's biogravel but it's a german brand (LFS owner insisted it was better quality)...i've since thrown away the packaging so i can't confirm exactly what the brand/name is

if i'm going to convert my lights to 4x 55W FL from NA (approx 2wpg), would the biogravel be suitable for having a planted tank? some LFS owners have told me that what i have absolutely cannot support plants as the biogravel is too light and the roots won't be able to take root, yet some others have sworn by this type of gravel...so i'm slightly confused about this now. Would my current gravel setup be ok to plant with (if i supplement with root tabs) or do i absolutely need to change to one of the other more commonly used substrates around? (e.g ADA aquasoil)



reusing this photo with my apisto fry, but it's the gravel you see =) from what i can see, it's just about identical to ocean free's biogravel, only difference being the brand/quality...so i guess if the gravel type is still unclear maybe advice can be given based on ocean free biogravel? =)

one more (slightly OT) question is whether or not i would require CO2 with a 2wpg setup or would it result in algae problems due to the low light?

[illumnae]

i just noticed Eman's post in the equipment thread, and after going to its website, have confirmed that my gravel is Aquaclay. does anyone have experience with this in planting? would i need to change my substrate to ADA aquasoil?

[Shadow]

Try that before, I personally don't like it. Hard to plant foreground plant on it, forget about planting glosso or HC. I also don't like the color, look fake.

However it is porous, claimed to be good for beneficial bacteria colonies.

[illumnae]

anyone have experience and can advise please?

[David Moses Heng]

I tried once and firstly, the plants don't take root. Second, they cloud up the water quite easily. I still have got once bag unopened with me.

[tcy81]

no a gd substrate for planting , its too light...
my friend use it once, think result is not so gd.

[Roy1967]

I have tried that before. Result not too bad (see pucture) with no base fertilisers, only root monster. Not recomended for small sized plants, for example hair grass; however ok for Tenellus as foreground. No problem with Tiger Lotus (suplement with root monster). Clear water, less algea. I am still using iy but cover the top with black crytal quarts. Just converted it to a CRS tank, stable PH 6.5.

[aquanatix]

I've also been using aquaclay for quite sometime...
Except for the occasional floating lighter pieces of gravel...i've not much complains. Hairgrass was planted kinda easily,elandra,glosso etc...
Guess it worked out for me though. If you're going for a bare bottom and a "natural" look,by all means go for ADA.But if you're just gonna carpet the bottom with creepers like hairgrass and glosso you'd be ok with this.