A proper substrate is essential for a beautiful aquarium
Although we are talking about aquatic plants, plants do not absorb nutrients solely and exclusively through their leaves. It is essential to use the right substrate, soil, medium for healthy development.
Plants prefer airy and light substrates, making it easier for roots to get oxygen due to constant water movement. In gravels or sands, this works less efficiently. The active soils provide a continuous source of nutrients for the plants and help optimize water parameters.
Soils also soften the water, lower the pH parameter of the water, and store nutrients.
When to use it? When is active soil is recommended?
We use it mostly when we plant straight into the soil. Nutrient-rich substrates without planting are more of a problem due to the nutrients released and not utilized.
Do i need substrate if i use active soil? What are the reasons to use it?
The additional substrate under the soil is needed because they typically contain more nutrients than active soils and provide these nutrients to our plants for several months. The nutrients released from the substrate stored in the covering layers, so we do not reduce their efficiency with water changes.
What else can we use when a substrate is not required?
In cases where our plants are mainly floating plants, plants tied to stone or trees, active soil is unnecessary. In this case, simple decorative sand or gravel is also a perfect choice for our layout.
We need to take care of the soils. The clay soils need regular cleaning; the sand needs to be turned over or washed from time to time. Root sticks provide nutrients after depletion of the substrates.
How long it last? Do I need to replace it on rearrangement?
Sand and gravel last forever, but clay soils can also be used for years with proper maintenance. Although the substrate under the cover layer runs out of nutrients after 6-8 months due to intensive nutrient uptake and water changes, we can improve the substrate again with root sticks. You do not have to throw away the old substrate: after washing and cleaning it, you can reuse it by topping up a bag of fresh soil.
Root sticks, bottom fertilizers on our website:click for more
The aquarium substrate can be inert (gravel, sand, clay, etc.) or it can be active and directly affect the pH and KH (carbonate hardness) of your water like fluorite, soil, crushed coral, peat, etc.
For freshwater fish, you want a substrate that's easy to maintain. But, if you have burrowing fish, sand is preferred. Salty water fish require a substrate that provides the right pH. If you plan to have natural plants, you should use a substrate that gives them hold and promotes growth.
We stock four types of aquarium substrate; gravels, pebbles and cobbles, planting substrates and soils and sands. Gravels are a substrate made up of small rock chips and often come in a wide variety of colours.
Gravel is usually the substrate that many first-time aquarists choose because it's inexpensive and comes in a variety of styles. Some hobbyists prefer a more natural appearance for their aquarium and choose a gravel type that better suits that look.
Aquarium gravel, or any other material placed on the bottom of the tank, is referred to as substrate. Beneficial bacteria reside in your aquarium's substrate and break down fish waste, leftover food, and plant debris to keep the water conditions healthy.
There are several brands of inert substrates created for planted tanks, such as CaribSea Eco-Complete and Seachem Flourite. Like aquarium gravel, they do not tend to break down over time and therefore do not need to be replaced over time.
Planted tanks usually require at least 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of substrate. Also, insert root tab fertilizers into the ground if you are using inert substrate and have cryptocoryne plants, sword plants, or other species that feed heavily from their roots.
First, you use a layer with good CEC, like peat, soil or clay. Then you use a large grain substrate, 3-7 mm in size, as a sealing substrate, to not let the nutrients escape in the water. Lastly, you top that off with small-size gravel (1-2 mm) or just sand.
Putting down a nutrient-rich aquarium soil as a substrate, covered with a couple of inches of Aquarium Sand and Gravel, is ideal, providing the benefits from both the added nutrition and the anti-bacterial gravel.
Fish gravel is easier to maintain than sand, as it encourages healthy bacteria and other ammonia-reducing microorganisms to thrive. This promotes the breakdown of waste products and helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem in your tank. Gravel is suitable for nearly all freshwater fish and invertebrates.
Soil offers a nutrient-rich environment that is optimal for plant growth, unlike gravel and sand. Soil is like a buffet for your aquatic plants, packed with essential minerals and organic matter. It's like a plant paradise, where they can feast on all the nutrients they need right at their roots.
Putting down a nutrient-rich aquarium soil as a substrate, covered with a couple of inches of Aquarium Sand and Gravel, is ideal, providing the benefits from both the added nutrition and the anti-bacterial gravel.
For a natural look, go for a “decreasing in size” arrangement of the aquarium substrate, scaping the focal points of the tank (rocks, wood, etc.) with large size material (2-5 mm) and the edges with much smaller gravel (1-2 mm).
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