Who Gives A Fish Forums

Gravel's no good for roots, man. Get some proper substrate or at least root tabs. Your plants will thank you.

Has anyone tried mixing gravel with sand? I'm curious if that's a viable middle ground for root growth without a full substrate change.

Mixing gravel and sand can work, but it's messy. Sand tends to sink to the bottom over time. Better to pick one and stick with it, preferably sand or aquasoil for root feeders.