Starting a new planted tank

[stuntman2946]

Bout to start a planted tank and my main question is does it have to be a soil or sand based bottom or can I use my rocks I already have in there? I still have some research to do and I won't be starting it for about another 3-4 weeks

[Bombalurina]

It depends on the plants you want. If you get plants that feed from the water column, rather than the substrate, then your rocks are fine. However, if you want substrate feeders, you may have to change. :)

[aokashi]

Your plants will grow much faster with soil, however it is not required. I'm a big fan of fluorite or flora max, as they are good at holding nutrients for plants and are not too light.

[stuntman2946]

What's the best way to tell substrate feeders form the other kind?

[aokashi]

huh? you mean like cories from fish like tetras?

[stuntman2946]

I was replying to bombalurina post about the different kinds of plants

[Bombalurina]

Basically just learning. :) Usually plants that don't grow high, like grasses and rosette plants, are substrate-feeders. Some well-known water column feeders are elodea, ludwigia, hornwort, duckweed, frogbit, cabomba, ambulia, java fern and anubias, to name a few. :)