Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi all,
I'm new here, and I'm still learning the ropes. Planning to set up a 40 gallon tank, and I want to go all out with the plants. I'd rather avoid CO2 injections for now and stick with liquid fertilizers. I'm looking for some advice on the best substrate and root tabs combo.

I've tried Aqua Soil before in a 5 gallon tank, but it led to some terrible string algae issues. I couldn't fix the problem, and the tank eventually got dismantled. The experience was pretty frustrating, especially since Aqua Soil is pricey. I've had better luck with sand and root tabs in my 10 gallon tank, but that's not as heavily planted. The plants in that tank are mostly low-maintenance ones like Java moss, Wisteria, and Bacopa.

I'm looking to upgrade my current tank to accommodate my dwarf rasboras and pygmy corydoras, and I'd love to have more shrimp. The new tank will be low light and low current, so I'll need plants that can thrive in those conditions. Any plant suggestions would be great.

I'm wondering if I did something wrong when I used Aqua Soil before. What's a better substrate option for a low-maintenance, heavily planted tank?

Hello, welcome to the forum. I think the best substrate for you would be one that suits your fish, particularly those pygmy corydoras. They really need a soft sand substrate, it's not something you can compromise on.

I'd recommend combining a good quality root tab - I've had great experiences with Seachem, but API also gets good reviews - with a fine play sand. The play sand does need a thorough wash in clean water, but it's worth it for the cost savings over "decorative aquarium sand".

From my own experience, I used a mix of gravel and aquasoil under a thin sand layer in my first tank, which was a disaster - it caused so many issues. I've since switched to play sand and I wouldn't go back. You can get two 20kg bags at a garden center for €12, which is a fraction of what I paid for my initial setup.

For a planted tank, I'd suggest 2-4 inches of play sand, with root tabs spaced out in the areas where you'll be putting your root-feeding plants. I just don't see the benefits of using aquasoil when you can get the same results with sand and root tabs. Plus, sand is so much easier to keep clean than gravel or aquasoil.

I really appreciate the advice, I hadn't thought of using play sand before and the price is fantastic - $8 for 20kg is a steal. I'm definitely looking forward to learning more as I go along, this is my first time setting up a tank over 10 gallons and it's a bit daunting.

I'm from Austflakeia, and I recall some of our fellow members mentioning that the play sand here contains sharp bits of broken shell. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but I'd definitely advise you to inspect it closely before making a purchase. If you can, try rubbing some between your fingers to check for any sharp edges - it's worth the extra effort. If it does contain sharp bits, consider looking elsewhere, even if it means opting for more expensive aquarium sand.

sSjey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 4:04 pm I'm from Austflakeia, and I recall some of our fellow members mentioning that the play sand here contains sharp bits of broken shell. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but I'd definitely advise you to inspect it closely before making a purchase. If you can, try rubbing some between your fingers to check for any sharp edges - it's worth the extra effort. If it does contain sharp bits, consider looking elsewhere, even if it means opting for more expensive aquarium sand.

Thanks for the heads up, I really appreciate it - I was planning on buying from Bunnings anyway, and from what I've read the reviews seem pretty positive. I'll just make sure to check the sand thoroughly before I buy it, to be on the safe side.

It's always a good idea to err on the side of caution when it comes to your aquarium. Different brands can have varying levels of quality, so it's worth doing your research to find one that's suitable for a fish tank.

sSjey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 4:04 pm I'm from Austflakeia, and I recall some of our fellow members mentioning that the play sand here contains sharp bits of broken shell. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but I'd definitely advise you to inspect it closely before making a purchase. If you can, try rubbing some between your fingers to check for any sharp edges - it's worth the extra effort. If it does contain sharp bits, consider looking elsewhere, even if it means opting for more expensive aquarium sand.

It's completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed with a new tank, especially when it's your first one over 10 gallons. There's a lot to take in, but don't worry, there are plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have as you go along. I think play sand is a great choice, and I would definitely take sSjey's advice and check it carefully before buying - it's always better to be safe than sorry.

It's completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when setting up a new tank, especially when it's your first one over 10 gallons. Thankfully, we have an amazing community here with plenty of knowledgeable and helpful members who'll be more than happy to lend a hand whenever you have questions.

Play sand is a fantastic option, and I'd definitely recommend following sSjey's advice on checking for sharp bits before making a purchase.

I've already learned a great deal from this forum, and it's fantastic to see how supportive everyone is. Thanks, shakinStevens, for sharing your insights - I had no idea about the importance of certain nutrients for plant growth, and how they can impact algae. Given my tap water is extremely soft, I've already started adding GH to it, as I suspect it was causing issues with my shrimp molting. I think I'll need to do some more research on fertilizers and take a closer look at the sand options available before setting up my new tank.

I've kept planted tanks for over two decades now, and I've learned that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. I've done my fair share of high-maintenance tanks that required added CO2, but I've also had plenty of success with lower-tech setups. The key is to understand the needs of your plants and tailor your approach accordingly.

In my experience, it's not necessary to add CO2 to every planted tank. I've had great results with Flourish Excel, which I've used in many of my tanks over the years. Of course, some people may have concerns about the ingredients in Excel, but I've never had any issues with it harming my fish, shrimp, or snails.

As I've gained more experience, I've found that I prefer to keep things simple. I've moved away from high-maintenance plants and now focus on easy-to-care-for species that can thrive with minimal special attention. I've also found that I don't need to use fancy substrates or complicated fertilizers to achieve great results.

My advice to anyone just starting out with planted tanks is to keep things simple. Start with easy-to-care-for plants and gradually move on to more complex species as you gain experience. Don't feel like you need to invest in a lot of fancy equipment or supplies right off the bat. With a little patience and practice, you'll be well on your way to creating a thriving planted tank.

One resource that I highly recommend is the Tropica website. They're one of the largest suppliers of aquatic plants in the world, and their site is a treasure trove of information and advice. I've used their liquid fertilizers for years and have always been impressed with the results.

Thanks so much for all the advice, it's really helpful to know I can keep things simple. I'm definitely only looking to keep easy plants for now, I want to be able to see them thrive and enjoy the process of learning. I've not kept anything difficult yet, so I'm happy to start with the basics and see how it goes. It's great to know that I don't need to overcomplicate things, I want this hobby to be fun and enjoyable, not a chore.