Way Too Much Substrate?

[Rhaethe]

As the subject says. After doing reading, I think I have way too much substrate.

I've got around 2 inches of gravel in my tank currently. It's a Eclipse Hex 5.

Am thinking I should probably remove some of it, although I am going to be planting some plants in there soon-ish.

Plants don't need really deep substrate, though, do they?

[Northernguy]

They need it deep enough to hold the roots down.Usually 1 1/2 - 2 inches is good.
Lighting would be my concern on a hex tank because of their depth.

[Taurus]

Yeah, they do if they are root feeders like Amazon Swords. But Plants like Java Fern, Anubis, Crypts can be rooted to diftwood or rocks and are not dependent on root feeding..they feed through thier leaves from the water column. Floating plants feed from the water column.

So substrate depth required depends on the type of plant.

LOL..I'm far from a plant expert..but those are some of the basics.

I've lowered my gravel depth to about 3/4" because I don't have real plants in my tanks. The lower gravel depth allows me to vacuum it more thoroughly at the same time I do a water change.

Bottom line, it depends on the type of plant. Heck, I think Algenco grows massive Java Ferns rooted to driftwood and there is no substrate in his breeding tanks. He can keep the tank cleaner that way and nitrates lower.

[Rhaethe]

Ahhhhh ha!

So basically I need to decide what plants I want before I judge how much substrate I need.

Okies. Well, the plant species I am deciding between are Moneywort, Cabomba, Anacheris, and Dwarf Hairgrass.


edited to add: after some quick reading, now I'm down to Moneywort and Dwarf hairgrass.

Although i do kinda like the idea of anchoring a non-rooting plant to something ... Hmmm.

Anywho, I still think I should reduce my substrate by an inch and then put a 1/4 of finer grade gravel of a different color in for contrast perhaps.

[Taurus]

Well, you've got to figure out whether they are root feeders or not so much.

Remeber? I'm not the plant expert. But you can be with a bit of research.

Google is awesome.thumbs2:

Oh, and ther is the plant database here at the AC.

[Rhaethe]

Yep. Reading that now :22:

[Lady Hobbs]

That just fine.

[lowlight]

I have seen planted tanks with 3" of substrate. I have 1 3/4 of an inch in my 55gal.