Best substrate for plants??

[JaguarCichlid]

I am trying to find the best substrate for my plants, to give them a bit of vooma. they are growing, but slowly, any suggestions??

[brentnorm]

Flourite is a very good substrate.

[Asgar]

The best easily available substrate that is good for growing aquatic plants is silica sand AKA pool filter sand which is available from your nearest Hardware store (eg 'Builders express') or your nearest Pool accessory store.

Silica sand is good for growing plants and it looks good too.

[Zoom]

I use Silca sand very successfully. Obviously it does not have any nutritional value to the plants as it is inert.

Could someone suggest a good fertilizer that could be added to assist with better growth?

[JaguarCichlid]

I am using filter sand at the moment, am looking for something to maybe bury under the sand????

Or as Zoom suggests, a good fertilizer that wont wipe out my fish???

[veegal]

Why not contact Prof Dirk for some of his Wonder Druppels for plants? That way you won't have disturb your existing substrate and it works wonders!

[JaguarCichlid]

Great plan, I'm nervous of these lfs Chinese brands, especially as my Chinese is a bit rusty.......

Will wait for him to get back from overseas..

[veegal]

Jag he has also added a new product to his list which is a liquid CO2 - apparently it works extremely well in combination with his liquid fertilizers.

[carl p]

i use normal organic pottingsoil underneath my filtersoil, i pre wash the potting soil to get the floating parts out. works like a charm, try the seachem liquid carbon and their liquid ferts also works.

[Henk Hugo]

yea i also use a clay based soil.... with some water lilly feeding tabs and then i pot them into the clay pots - works great

[JaguarCichlid]

Thanks, I'm just concerned that my plecos (3 of them between 25 & 30cm) will dig into the soil and create a mud bath.

I will definately try the clay pots this weekend......