Substrate

[Lundinn]

I'm making another attempt at setting up my 8g tank. So today I bought a tub of aquarium plant substrate which is a mix of sand, fine gravel, peat and added minerals and such. I'm not sure whether to cap it with sand or gravel. If I were to get all the plants, would it work for NPT?

[sandrac8388]

Originally Posted by Lundinn

I'm making another attempt at setting up my 8g tank. So today I bought a tub of aquarium plant substrate which is a mix of sand, fine gravel, peat and added minerals and such. I'm not sure whether to cap it with sand or gravel. If I were to get all the plants, would it work for NPT?

if I were you I'd stay away from sand. It made everything so hard for me. Especially if you later want to move things around, the sand goes everywhere (i used play sand, so it may be diff for other types) I finally just tossed it out and used the flourite substrate (i had tried actual soil w/ a sand cap). I'm a lot happier with just my plant substrate! Make sure you get a lot of stem plants and with the right lighting everything will grow quick!

[Lundinn]

Thanks!

I have another question. I want to do the same for my other bettas 2.5g tank but his current lamp is LED. So I'll have to buy a new lamp but I would only be able to get energy-saving bulbs for it, would these still be ok.

[sandrac8388]

Originally Posted by Lundinn

Thanks!

I have another question. I want to do the same for my other bettas 2.5g tank but his current lamp is LED. So I'll have to buy a new lamp but I would only be able to get energy-saving bulbs for it, would these still be ok.

I'm not sure about lighting in a 2.5gallon Sorry. The smallest I've done is 5.5. But, start off with plants that do not need too much light or maintenance. The rule is to stay with 3watts/gallon and 6500 kelvin.

plantedaquariumscentral.com has some good ones at a great price. Look under beginner plants and low light plants! Stick to these types.