Substrate Help!

[sunshineb]

Can plants be planted in gravel? Its not dirt or anything, but my LFS says that they'd be okay. I have low light plants, and I'm looking at getting a new light but for now I want to place the plants I have.

Also, I have 2 Banana Plants. Do those stay on top of the substrate or should they be planted too?

[AllenIsbell]

Can plants be planted in gravel? Its not dirt or anything, but my LFS says that they'd be okay. I have low light plants, and I'm looking at getting a new light but for now I want to place the plants I have.

Also, I have 2 Banana Plants. Do those stay on top of the substrate or should they be planted too?

Yes, they can be planted in gravel. There are multiple ways to fertilize your plants since you are not using dirt or a substrate designed for plants.

I would plant the Banana Plants towards the front of the tank. The "banana" part of the plant is a root that is only partially planted in the substrate. They can grow fully planted, or not.

EDIT: Oops...I quoted you. Someone's gonna blow a fuse.

[Cliff]

You can put plants in gravel. If you have root feeding plants you will have to also use root tabs for the plants as the gravel will not provide all of the elements the plants need

[sunshineb]

Thanks! Also, what are some plants/mosses that would form a type of carpet in my tank?

[sunshineb]

You can put plants in gravel. If you have root feeding plants you will have to also use root tabs for the plants as the gravel will not provide all of the elements the plants need

Could I mix dirt with the necessary nutrients with the gravel? And would I need to do anything to maintain the substrate?

[AllenIsbell]

You don't have to mix dirt in. You can use These:

http://www.petco.com/product/112621/...ertilizer.aspx

There are also liquid fertilizers that you can use. I don't know which if better of the two, though. Someone else can chime in for that information.

What do you mean "maintain the substrate?"

[Cliff]

You don't need dirt for low demanding plants, and I would not suggest adding it to a exsisting and cycled tank with fish either.

You could add some plant substrate, like flourite, but the root tabs would be the easiest solution for root feeding plants

[sunshineb]

Okay, and does anyone know where to get some driftwood? Sorry I'm asking so many questions I just don't have any clue about this plant stuff

[AllenIsbell]

Check with your local LFS.