What do you use as growing medium? (aquatic)

[spendday]

Hey I'm thinking of re-doing my fire belly tank into something a bit more natural I don't like the idea of having a full substrate currently I used a "bare bottom" tank with a few river rocks and large stones on it a and I was thinking of something similar......Anyway I was thinking of having some plants in pots (thats possible right?) but what do you use as a substrate/growing medium? also ideas of good plants choices might be a good idea.

Many thanks in advance.

J

 

[Jennewt]

Yes, you can have plants in pots. It could be plain sand or gravel, or you could even use some kind of soil substrate. See
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1-gen...w-ecology-planted-aquarium-diana-walstad.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...enclosures-vivariums/66710-plant-bundles.html

 

[Molch]

rather than pots, I use wide, shallow glass dishes from the kitchen store as planters. That way, the soil is less likely to go too anaerobic. I use ca. 1 inch of potting soil and 1 inch of gravel on top of that. Plants grow like champions. I have the planters against the back wall with free floor space in front where I feed bloodworms and earthworms etc.

 

[evut]

When you're choosing plants, make sure you check the hardness and pH of the water first. I live in an area with very hard alkaline water and have found that most plants can't live in it. Also look at plants that don't need any substrate - there are many that can just float and some can be tied to rocks or wood.