Substrates
This article will outline several substrates that can support low-tech and high-tech plants. This is a growing list and will be added to as I use or research other substrates.
Substrate
Fluval Substrate (https://a.co/d/4bFgNi9) PH buffering (https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fluval-bio-stratum-aquarium) Non buffering
Fluval Stratum is a nutrient-rich, cost-effective substrate that offers excellent nutrition for your rooting plants.
The buffering version heavily affects the ph of the water, which aids in plant health but may affect certain fish species.
The nonbuffering bio stratum provides equal nutrition; however, it does not aid in buffering water but may be better for fish needing higher ph, such as guppies.
Against other suggestions, I don’t believe this needs to be rinsed. (I have never rinsed it after using it in almost 20 different tanks) However, if you intend to add it after the tank is established and filled, PLEASE THOURLY WASH AS IT WILL CLOUD THE TANK!
WARNINGS! This substrate can leach ammonia over time. Therefore, frequent water changes reduce build-up that will affect fish.
Fluval Stratum is in the middle of the range pricing and, for larger tanks, may not be ideal. Fortunately, it is widely available at most aquarium stores and department stores.
Pros
Widely available
Lightweight provides an ideal environment for roots
Leaches less ammonia
Cons
Not as long-lasting fertilizing and buffering effects
Dollar for dollar gets out-competed by higher-end substrates available online.
Fluval Stratum
Caribsea Planted (https://a.co/d/7pf3Rl7)
Caribsea is the most cost-efficient nutrient-dense substrate on the market.
This is readily available at most big retail companies, Petco/Petsmart.
Caribsea does not require rinsing and aids in bacteria buildup as it is enriched with bacteria in a wet bag.
Caribsea doesn’t fall anywhere near my top-tier choice in the substrate due to its granular structure. It is more similar to a gravel-like design which causes struggles with many carpeting and delicate root structures. This is because the roots struggle to move through the heavy, dense substrate. Therefore, if you intend to have carpeting plants or delicately rooted plants, this is not the substrate for you.
Caribsea is an excellent replacement for those that want to grow common plants easier and not have to use the root tab immediately. Again, however, if you intend to have heavy root-feeding red plants, I would choose another substrate better suited for that in this list.
Pros
Least expensive planted substrate
Great for easier plants
Cons
No Buffering
Heavy substrate, therefore, unable to grow high-end plants such as delicate carpeting plants
CaribSea
Flourite by SeaChem (https://a.co/d/7pf3Rl7)
Flourite is a clay-based option that offers an all-natural nutrient-based substrate that aids in plant growth. This substrate is most similar to dirt due to its dirty natural fertilizing attributes. With this does come its negative effects. It is the dirtiest substrate; if stirred up, it will immediately cloud the tank and cause it to turn brown/dirty red.
The clay-based substrate breaks down easily, creating an excellent environment for most low-tech and high-tech plants.
I’ve used this substrate personally in my 75-gallon tank, and it provided great nutrients to the plants; however, to combat the dirty nature of the substrate, I capped it with sand.
Flourite is a very cost-effective substrate that provides beneficial nutrients like higher-end substrates.
CAUTION- this substrate will cloud your tank if stirred; if you choose to use this, it is best to keep it undisturbed and is best for a show tank that you don’t intend to uproot plants from. (The alternative to this is capping the substrate)
Flourite is offered in several different granulations and colors as well.
Pro
Cheaper alternative substrate
No ammonia leeching
Cons
Extremely dirty substrate
Heavier granulation
Flourite
Landen ( https://aquarockscolorado.com/collections/aquarium-substrate/products/landen-aqua-soil )
Landen substrate starts off the list with what I consider a high-end or professional substrate; this is also where my experience with substrate ends for now. (All other substrates listed will be based on research and public information)
This was the first personal profession substrate I used after extensive research; this is due to two primary considerations—less ammonia leaching and fair pricing.
Landen substrate offers an extremely rich nutrient-dense substrate with a great granulate size ideal for most high-end plants.
The landen substrate is lightweight and offers incredible root growth, allowing roots to move through the substrate easily.
It is offered in a few different granulate sizes and colors.
Unlike other professional substrates, Landen doesn’t leach significant levels of ammonia, therefore, requires fewer water changes to maintain water quality within the first 4-6 months of use.
Landen’s nutrient release lasts between 8-12 months before requiring supplementation with root tabs.
Pro
Highly nutrient-loaded substrate
Lightweight and ideal for all plants (high-end & Lowend)
Reasonably Price (offered in bulk by Colorado Rocks
Great buffering effects
Relatively clean substrate
Cons
Leeches a fair amount of ammonia, requiring frequent water changes in the beginning
Landen
Platinum AquaSoil (https://aquarockscolorado.com/collections/aquarium-substrate/products/platinum-aquasoil?variant=36894525718694)
Platinum AquaSoil is a Japanese-made soil that is a black ash base. This soil would also be included in the professional-grade due to its high nutrient load, which releases ammonia and other nutrients into the water. Therefore, requiring frequent water changes for months on end.
Like Landen substrate, Platinum AquaSoil offers an extremely rich nutrient-dense substrate with a great granulate size ideal for most high-end plants. Furthermore, it is also provided in a powder form ideal for nano aquariums aiding in their aquascaping due to perspective.
Platinum AquaSoil is also one of the heaviest buffering substrates making it ideal for Cardinia shrimp breeding/keeping.
Pro
Highly nutrient-loaded substrate
Lightweight and ideal for all plants (high-end & Lowend)
Great buffering effects
Cons
Leeches a fair amount of ammonia, requiring frequent water changes in the beginning
Netlea Professional Soil (Netlea Aquarium Soil - Professional Version – Aqua Rocks Colorado)
Netlea is another substrate I am incredibly excited to try in the future. Essentially, imagine you bought the nicest organic soil, cleaned it up, and pressed it into little balls. That's Netlea Soil.
Like other professional soils, Netlea buffers the substrate and releases significant ammonia. Furthermore, it is backed with essential elements and free iron deposits (for red plants).
It is essential to note this substrate cannot support medium to high ph fish or fish that require hard water. Netlea has natural anti-buffering agents preventing those levels from rising. (ph, kh, gh)
Another impressive perk to Netlea is it doesn't need to be washed and provides significant water clarity. This photo represents the difference between Fluval and Netlea.
Pro
Highly nutrient-loaded substrate
Reasonably Price (offered in bulk by Colorado Rocks
Clean substrate and Clear water
Cons
Leeches a fair amount of ammonia, requiring frequent water changes in the beginning
Extreme buffering effects limit fish options.
Netlea Professional Substrate
Amazonia V one (ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia 9L (aquaticwarehouse.com)
Amazonia is becoming difficult to source due to its importation from Japan and resource issues. Additionally, this has made it cost significantly more expensive than other soils.
Amazonia is known for being the OG aqua soil in the hobby; however, based on many other conversations with aqua scapers and propagators, this is no longer the case for V one or V2. Not because it isn’t practical but rather the cycling rate and price.
Amazonia is excellent and provides all the most significant attributes of many of the other substrates listed above. However, until I use it, I will not have a personal bias to provide.
Pro
Amazing fertilizing properties
Great water clarity
Superior substrate structure
Cons
Expensive
Hard to acquire
Leaches the most ammonia
