Top 5 Substrates for Planted Tanks and 1 you should avoid 

This is one of the most honest reviews 👌👌 I have seen out of my 1000+ hours of watching aquascape videos. Real facts have been explained here and not just the basic principle of using Aqua Gravel + Amazonia V2 + Power Sand for every setup.

Awesome video! Really clears things up!

This is one expensive video, deserve more appreciation.

Very good information. Thanks.

Thank you for this info!

Helpful, thank you.

Setting up a tank with aquasoil if you can get filter media from another tank it will definitely speed up your cycle process

Hi, when first setting up a planted tank do I have to condition the water every time since the first few weeks require a lot of water changes or is it okay without it? This is before introducing fish obviously, thanks.

The back of 'eco complete" whish reads on bag as eco planted says on the back that it raises ph.

I want to use a mix of fluval and gravel. My ph of tap water is about 7.5 Will it be suitable for guppies & cherry shrimp

Great info, thanks!

You ever use crushed coral as a base for the soils to bring the ph up naturally?.

Fluval stratum in my experience doesnt leach ammonia, if anything its so little that my tests doesnt show it.

What's the best on to put under unipac sand what won't really mess up my ph was look at tropica substrate

HI thanks for your vedio I have a question please I am going to plant a 300 L aquarium 120×50×50 I want to do easy to medium planting ( heavy plant) I have on hand now inleart substrate is called dennerle depo mix 10 in 1 And I have gravel . I am thinking to buy 1 active soil ADA mix it with the 10 in 1 substrate and on to I will put some gravel Is that ok about ammonia I do have filters and will deal with it. Thanks

so... if i only have gravel but want to add fluval stratum... and 8 fish... I can't... ? or can i add it slowly over time?

My corydora catfish did end up losing their barbs with the eco complete sadly, will be moving them to sand soon. Other than that, it was GREAT for my plants!

My tap is at 7 and eco complete raised it to 7.6 max. Doesn't give me issues though. I also have seryiu stone and I heard that might raise it a little bit also. So I don't know how much eco actually raised it.

People keep saying eco complete is inert but cribsea lists eco complete as basaltic volcanic soil. So how is it inert?

Thank you very much.

I used stratum with a fish in cycle, plants, and used prime and stability, within three weeks I’m at 0/0/0ppm readings on my test kit. Which is weird because I’ve heard that substrate causes a ammonia spike but it was never an issue for me

Is controsoil good?

I loved stratum until just months after having it its turned into powder and it's a filthy mess. Trying UNS and Tropica now.

Do you think the aqua soils like fluval stratum is bad for loaches and bottom dwellers that might break the soil?

Is this better with dirty under the fluval???

informative, thanks

Hi! I already have some substrate- white sand (sansibar), and 2kgs of aquarium gravel (I'm planning on having a low light low tech tank. It's 16 gallons / 65 litres). Can I plant some low-light plants directly in the sand? There isn't enough gravel to cover the tank. Thank you!

How much water change will I be doing if I use gravels instead of sand and which one will be easier? Let’s say I don’t know anything and I got 2 fish tank 2 bags of sand and 2 bags of gravels and ofc I do over feeding my fish now I’m in brink of getting blue green algae which is not algae and it stink and now I need to do least 50% water change will sand will be easy to use vacuum and try get that fish waste less work for me or going through gravels inch by inch will be easier?

Thank you!!!

Fluval /akadama- best for shrimps Ada- overated soil

fluval stratum is very light. every time i plant, it will float up. i don't have much budget to increase the thickness of fluval soil. can i put thin layer of small gravel (5mm) on top of the soil?

It is okay if i make a fluval soil as a base layer and amazonia 2 on top.!! Are they not good option for my tank..?

Have you heard of or tried the dark start method of tank cycling? What are your thoughts on it?

followed just to listen to your voice. but a very good vid learnt a lot

My ph is around 7.8 and water is hard around like 8. Planning to use 2 17lb bags of Stratum as a base layer with sand on top. A 125 Gallon Tank. Housing Bichirs and Angel's. How strongly does it affect the ph?

Can you mix some of the substrates instead of just layering then add a cap on top?

I'm wondering if I could use Fluval Stratum as a base and gravel on top to help prevent to much stirring of the lighter Stratum.

New sub , great information & I really appreciate that you offer your advise because you are interested in helping others w/ what has worked for your planed tanks , as you stated🌿💚 Hope to see many more fish , aquascaping & aquatic plant videos in the future 🐌 I also have been very pleased w / a base layer of lava especially piled up in back , then Eco & Seachem black sand & it does grow lush plants. Hated how messy & too delicate Fluval Stratum was 💩 Hey Father Fish sends his love 🐟🌎

What about going with plain o'l soil, like a bag of organic soil from Walmart?

Amazonia is hell expensive, especially for someone doing a larger tank. What's you opinion of doing amazonia as a base layer and black flourite on top?

Eco Complete may definitely raise your pH, and this is know from the manufacturer. Depends on the batch you get. Mine jumped from 7.2 at the tap, measuring 8.2 in the tank

So if I put half eco planted and half fluval, my ph will be ok?

i wish i had found this like a month ago lol, made so many mistakes im still trying to fix

Which one should be avoided?

Floval stratum dropped my ph to 5.5 for some reason

You sound like you're from 3 different countries with that accent lol. Great video

I'm gonna go with the eco complete I'm kind of impatient..haha

Garden soil capped with sand is still king.

Uns controsoil is good

Sand is categorically the best possible substrate material. It is precisely what aquatic plants are growing in in nature.

This is why I want to release my betta back into the wild, the price of baked pebbled dirt is killing me and I've not shopped for plants yet 🤣

You've got the most confusing accent I've ever experienced.

Sand is absolutely fine. Especially as a cap.

Very helpful, thanks.