Hey guys! I have been seriously considering planting my 75 gallon, which has a 3 1/2 inch Pink Belly Side neck turtle and an inch long grass pickerel. I was curious, what is the best cheaper substrate to use? I am not willing to pay 150 bucks to plant it. I have heard about miracle grow plenty, but if Zoey does decide to much on some plants, the dirt will flood my tank. I can't have that. I have heard about people using cat litter as well. Does that work? Thanks for all of your help!!
Best Substrate To Use
- Thread starter Grandcandy123
- Start date
I use eco complete substrate, 4 bags should be enough for you, and they are 20 bucks a bag
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I have read somewhere on here that a member did use some type of un-scented / non-clumping kitty litter before, but not sure which brand it was or honestly how well it worked?
I've also read about people using the organic miracle grow, i think capped with sand or some other substrate on top which supposedly works? but as i've never tried it, i can't really comment...
I guess depending on the type of plants you are looking to grow, you may or may not need to have a substrate specifically for growing plants and maybe able to get away with simple dosing of ferts or using root tabs...
I've also read about people using the organic miracle grow, i think capped with sand or some other substrate on top which supposedly works? but as i've never tried it, i can't really comment...
I guess depending on the type of plants you are looking to grow, you may or may not need to have a substrate specifically for growing plants and maybe able to get away with simple dosing of ferts or using root tabs...
My favorite for inexpensive and works well is pool filter sand.
I've done the generic unscented plain jane kitty litter. Its nothing more then fired clay. It has some of the properties of the eco types of substrate as it absorbs and releases nutrients. It is crummy to rinse and over time it breaks down and gets messy.
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I've done the generic unscented plain jane kitty litter. Its nothing more then fired clay. It has some of the properties of the eco types of substrate as it absorbs and releases nutrients. It is crummy to rinse and over time it breaks down and gets messy.
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I was really thinking about pool filter sand. I love the way it looks. So natural..
Anyway, do you use PFS on a planted tank yourself? I would really like to talk to someone who does, just so that I can figure out what they did.
Anyway, do you use PFS on a planted tank yourself? I would really like to talk to someone who does, just so that I can figure out what they did.
Asking what the best planted substrate is just like arguing semantics.... Everyone who has ever had a planted tank will have different opinions on which substrate they think is best, and the "plain jane kitty litter" guy it's quite obvious you never did your research on kitty litter brands and which are fired, and which are actually natural laterite based forms. Special Kitty: All Natural kitty litter is 100% aquarium safe, is made of natural laterite, and doesn't break down after use. I've used it for years in my planted tanks without any issues of having to add more because of breakdown, and it has a high CEC ratio which is what you want from a planted tank substrate.
PFS (pool filter sand) IMO is nothing more then a top layer substrate to planted tank enthusiast, 90% of people with planted tanks will tell you they use sand to cap their first layer of substrate. Such as using say SeaChem Flourite planted substrate as the bottom layer of your substrate, then adding sand for the top layer so you don't see any flourite.
PFS (pool filter sand) IMO is nothing more then a top layer substrate to planted tank enthusiast, 90% of people with planted tanks will tell you they use sand to cap their first layer of substrate. Such as using say SeaChem Flourite planted substrate as the bottom layer of your substrate, then adding sand for the top layer so you don't see any flourite.
Actually your wrong... I did plenty of my homework on all of the stuff. Personally Even as you mention substrates are wide and far and opinons are varied. I chose what was in my area that I wanted to try, I tried the fired claylitter, Turface and Flourite..... Personally I didnt care for the texture, shape or the look of any of the stuff I tried. Nor am I a big dirt tank fan. Plus my loaches really prefer the sand. So I went with PFS. There are several of the "Special" plant based substrates that are currently sold that are nothing more then fired clays. Even fired clay has a high-er CEC ratio then most standard stuff. PFS really has zero CEC. BUT I know myself and several others that use it and only it as their substrate and have extreme success with planted tanks. Id be glad to show you several of my tanks to show even the most basic of substrates such as PFS can be used as your one and only substrate and work fantastic. I think to much emphisis is placed on what to use instead of what to do with what you have. Ive had Low tech and high tech tanks. All of them PFS and only PFS. They all do very well. With little work except for my High tech tank that has to be trimmed constantly. ( And yes xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx/Mike I know who you are at TPT as well as ive been a member there for some time as well.)
All I did with my tanks was balance my light and my nutrients/Co2. I use the EI mehtod of dosing. It works for me.
Here is one of my PFS tanks.
My advice to the OP is use what works for you and use what you like.
I'm not a expert but from my situation:
From a couple months ago I started fish keeping( and from there turtle keeping) I was looking at getting plants to help offset the wasteload from the turtle. Then I was wondering what to use as a cheap and effective substrate to start with for the plants. From my standpoint I didn't want to invest too much money in substrate and find I didn't enjoy the planting as much. But now that I have been admiring my plants and watching them grow bit by bit, I wanna learn about different substrates, ferts, lights, etc. that might help my plants flourish.
Since you are in roughly the same situation I was in months ago ( caring for turtle and fish, considering planting but being cheap ;P), you can try PFS because it is cheap. I think once you see your plants growing ever so slowly you will gradually get into learning more and searching this wonderful forum for plant growing tips. But until you get to that point... just get some PFS. Safe for your turtle and fish, and a cheap way to get you further interested.
From a couple months ago I started fish keeping( and from there turtle keeping) I was looking at getting plants to help offset the wasteload from the turtle. Then I was wondering what to use as a cheap and effective substrate to start with for the plants. From my standpoint I didn't want to invest too much money in substrate and find I didn't enjoy the planting as much. But now that I have been admiring my plants and watching them grow bit by bit, I wanna learn about different substrates, ferts, lights, etc. that might help my plants flourish.
Since you are in roughly the same situation I was in months ago ( caring for turtle and fish, considering planting but being cheap ;P), you can try PFS because it is cheap. I think once you see your plants growing ever so slowly you will gradually get into learning more and searching this wonderful forum for plant growing tips. But until you get to that point... just get some PFS. Safe for your turtle and fish, and a cheap way to get you further interested.
I use playsand from Lowe's. It's less than $4. per bag. Looks great and doesn't cloud the water when I dig around. I like the look of a clean, sandy bottom so most of my plants are attached to wood or floating
(Java fern & moss, hornwort, etc.). I keep a nano powerhead down low at on end of the tank to keep the debris flowing around the wood and towards the filter.
(Java fern & moss, hornwort, etc.). I keep a nano powerhead down low at on end of the tank to keep the debris flowing around the wood and towards the filter.