ok, I found 1 place, 1! that sells plant sustrates, and I was wondering which you guys would suggest. they sell Onyx Sand, Grey Coast and Flourite all by Seachem. Which would be best and why? I dont know if its Flourite or flourite red.. cant remember!

I want to really plant my 40, and am investing in a better bulb... (just have a sad littl 20 watter on there!) and Im hoping the few lost gallons will be made up for by loads of plants

I also hope to heavly plant my 10. I got bitten by the plant bug! oh well, better to overcrown plants then goldies! I have had a little tiny bit of experiance with some plants, I have a planted 3 and 6 that I have been leaning on!

I have red fluorite in my 15g planted tank... the vallisnerias are growing great! It takes forever to wash this substrate. I washed it at least 10 times and the rinsing water was still red. This substrate is so light that syphooning the bottom of the tank is a bit troublesome because small pieces of flourite are carried out with the dirty water.

I don't use any special substrates, and all my plants are doing really well.

I thought you were supposed to put the fluorite under a layer of regular gravel? Or is that just me?

Hi - I just tried Eco-Complete and was very happy with it. I bought it on-line so I couldn't tell you what stores carry it - give them a call. I really like it becasue it did not have to be washed! It also comes in live water so it retains all the good bac.s as well as minerals, electrolytes, etc. that your tank needs to cycle and your plants need to thrive. Plus, it is more black than Seachem black. I like the way it looks so natural, like dirt, like you are seeing the bottom of a riverbed.