Enough Substrate

[styxx1]

I have a 20g tank and about 30lbs. Fluorite, do you think it is enough for my tank depth? I heard that a 2' amount was what you want to have for a good planted tank...I have yet to buy my plants, any info. or advice/suggestions would be appreciated , thanks!!

 

[shakedown]

30lbs in a 20g tank should be fine. I have 40lbs in a 55 planted.

 

[styxx1]

Think so shakedown?? Do the plants' roots really go that far down??

 

[bigfoot150]

Whoa did you mean 2 inches or 2ft? Well I guess that since a 20gal isn't but a foot and a half high you probably ment 2 inches. In that case 2inchs is really minimal for plants. I usually put at least 3inches in my tanks. My biggest planted tank is a 44 pentagon and it has a 5inch substrate.

Do the plants' roots really go that far down??

The answer to that is a resounding yes. Most plants will sink their roots down deep and spread as much as they can. On several occasions I have had to pull out swords because they were to big and their roots when to the bottom and then some.

 

[styxx1]

Your up late too I see!!

Well no reaction on the surface of the rock...but I know that the tap water comes out of the tap higher than 7.0. Seachem suggested using a buffer and then continue dosing with 7.0 Nuetral Regulator every H2O change...

Thanks for the advice on the Fluorite, now time to get me some plants!!!

 

[styxx1]

edit: Last reply to Leopardess

Yes, I did mean 2" woops! Well I am in for a treat then because I didn't think that they would root so deeply, I can't wait to get started!!

 

[fishdude07]

sorry for the late post. looks like a good amount of gravel to me...thats about how much i have in my 29 gallon

 

[Phantom_Tetra]

I have a good 1.5 inchs of gravel in my 10g