Master Aquatic Horticulturalist's Best Substrate - Substrate 101

[@adampietrzykoski7344]

Thanks for this series...really learned a lot...

[@BradRoberts-zg3tw]

Substrate 101 is fantastic! Bentley provides valuable information about substrate options in each episode. His passion for aquariums is evident in all his videos and is much appreciated. Thank you!

[@BradRoberts-zg3tw]

I just purchased a 200 gallon acrylic aquarium that is 30 inches in height. ADA recommends that I use their large size ADA Power Sand Advance for the substrate in my aquarium. Do you agree?

[@MasterPhotographer]

I’ve watched, and rewatched this playlist numerous times. Just like the substrates, I continue to absorb more information! IMHO, this is the best series on KZbin.

[@laurabustos6560]

2 years later and your info is totally appreciated!! I am so glad I found your channel!! Thank you🙏

[@MridulSinghMusic]

We need this series (and all the other ones) put into DVD's and sent out to all fish stores, along with a book about them! Also, loving the after-video segments! Keep it up, Bentley!

[@Nutakins]

I've been using Fluval Stratum layered or mixed in dif tanks for several years myself now with success in dif types of tanks. Cool to see a pro doing the same thing and recommending it! Eco-Complete def helps stretch the substrate for less $.

[@Nutakins]

*Fluval Stratum layered/mixed with Eco-Complete that is.

[@spyrit35]

Well done Bentley... this (imho) is a prime example of a successful hobbyist docu-series.... I enjoyed every single minute of it Man. Kudos.

[@jeffreypayne5459]

Finally some answers! Especially on dirted tanks. Thanks for the informative videos!

[@MidnightGeekSS]

Got my learning cap on.

[@paulcasale3089]

Excellent Series. I started a 75 tank with just Flourite Dark before I watched this,,, Next 75 will be lasagne

[@chuckgillespie1]

This was good. Thanks....gotta look into brightwell

[@janelle7008]

Learned so much! So thankful I can now easily make my decision informed instead of just picking something that probably wouldn’t work well for my needs.

[@bethfoort]

This info was very helpful. I needed clarification when it came to substrate and this sorted it out, thanks!

[@Szu-Ping]

Thank you for putting in so much work to create this “complete guide to planted tank substrate”. So very helpful! I learned a ton.

[@Aquatic_Amigo]

I had great results useing Brightwell substrate..

[@newmexicoaquatics282]

Thank you for sharing your experiences Bentley. I always love your views on plants and growing plants. Great video! - Little Bobby

[@fishead4464]

Thank you so much for this series, I will be rewatching it for sure.

[@yetanotheraquarist2899]

I very much enjoyed the series. It was interesting to hear the perspective for active substrates as opposed to Cory's preference for gravel or course sand with root tabs. I've used a lot of Eco-Complete, and I'm looking forward to trying Safe-T-Sorb.

[@frankcarrington5283]

I really want to thank you for all the wonderful information, I learn so much from watching your content. Thank you again sir! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@whatever833]

i literally just bought stratum and eco-complete to experiment with with a layer of eco-complete and stratum on top.

[@johnnybest6386]

Layerd style lava rocks coverd with fluval think i will try that

[@billcoleman782]

Thanks for all the info and experiences. Always enjoy learning from you.

[@benjaminsonksen4451]

Love your channel, you cover numerous aspects of each subject, thank you!

[@Myname2663-w2z]

Great series

[@goodgravy3047]

It's been said "A picture is worth a thousand words." A diagram of the layering with identifying layers would have been so helpful to see while you talked.

[@patrickshaw5955]

Loved it! Starting my 75gallon soon. I got Eco complete and fluval stratum this morning! I am very happy with my decisions now after watching this. My other tank only has eco but wanted to try adding stratum.

[@janicelundberg3156]

I really enjoyed this series! Learned a lot! I just finished setting up my lasagna method planted tank. It’s looking great thx to you! Thank you for answering my questions with your experience and knowledge! Much gratitude! ❤️

[@fish.enjoyer]

Wow, this is amazing. So glad I found your channel. Thank you so much for putting all this info out for free. As someone who thought they knew a lot about plants, I was extremely humbled with my first planted tank being an absolute failure. Definately gonna try out your lasagna method. Just to make sure, you still need to cap all the fluval stratum and ecocomplete with a sand or gravel, right? If so, how many inches?

[@TypicalMT]

I’ve also heard to add a boost, put some flourish advanced in a spray bottle, spray your aqua soil and let it dry, then it’s good to go! Haven’t tried it but knowing what flourish advanced does, could really help!

[@aquaticthumb5193]

I'm not surprised by your likes it's what you're experienced with. Just like Father Fish likes dirted tanks. When you experiment more with other systems like anoxic/anaerobic filtration or other soil media more than once, will your opinion be of more value. Use your Collage/job education help us all out and experiment.

[@craighealy6186]

Dude thanks for saving my head of hair! I was thinking of trying the dirted tank method until I watched your video. I am sure I would have pulled my hair out after trying a dirted tank. Going to do the stratum and eco complete method instead.

[@mattr8743]

Great series! So much information.

[@darryllopez947]

Best lesson learned in this series is the lesson I seem to be learning in life in general: Keep it simple, stupid! Thanks a bunch!

[@BentleyPascoe]

A very good rule to love and work by, I do it all the time.

[@MasterPhotographer]

Thank you again, for sharing your knowledge with us! You’re saving many of us a lot of money. 😊

[@brianneppl7858]

I impressed myself. In my first planted tank a few years ago, I did the blend you referenced

[@alexkostel3777]

Thank you, this series was really informative.

[@clayd9477]

Perfect timing needed something to watch while I take a break from fixing my car 🚗 🙃

[@CoffeeTimeBrian11]

I've been really debating CO2. IMO, The gas exchange occurs at the surface not from tiny bubbles. Also water parameters temperature, PH, water hardness; must affect the amount of Co2 or O2 which the water retains. Some metals and cilica may cause algea. I'm not sure I may ever be able to balance photo period growth rate and fertilizer without more information. Thanks for your videos.

[@mariaz9538]

Fantastic series. I’ve been keeping fish for over 40 years but only really got into plants 2+ yrs ago (kept cichlids) Anyway, I’m preparing to set up 4 more tanks and will be referring back to these vids for guidance. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍❤️

[@vikkirountoit497]

Really well done series. I liked that you went over so many different substrates that I haven't tried yet. I've done pebble, deep sand, flourite, stratum, and most recently sand capped soil. Enjoying all of them. Really paying attention as I'm deciding what I want to do next in my 75g - currently it's a non-planted sand and rocky "big fish" rescue tank. So far my plan includes lots of crypts and a large school of pygmy corys. I've never done a heated tank so this will be new. Also considering co2 for the first time. Should be fun:)

[@gavinyuen040680]

i would love to see actual video tutorial. like, i use prefer to watch stuff being done, or even presented rather than watch someone talk. awesome learning though. keep it coming

[@vanschermerhorn7167]

What was the name brands of the three layers ? Lava rock then fluval stratum and the last media ? Then you layer it . Your picture on the screen was dark . Anything else add to your response . Thank you for your input on the other responses >

[@BentleyPascoe]

Eco-complete

[@Aquatic_Amigo]

Bro you kill it on the vedios .. so much help so much great info love it .. 🎤 drop ... and I watch so many deffernt channel including coop ..

[@gonemad8008]

Thanks.

[@damionmarkham9835]

I'm really hoping you do a video on activating Safe T sorb.

[@BentleyPascoe]

When I do my safe t sorb tank, I'll cover charging it

[@tmartin2347]

I love dirted tanks capped with sand. However I tried the lasagna method on my 20 long, and love it. Who else has tried this method ? How do you like it ? Long term ? Plants thrive ? Considering this method on my living room show tank.

[@BentleyPascoe]

LRB has done a few lasagna methods and mine that is in place has done very well for a couple years at this point

[@tmartin2347]

I’m going for it! Thank you

[@ELflowing]

Great info as usual!

[@robertmiy]

Hay Bentley do you have a update video of Substrate of what you like to use Thank you I'll try the Dirt method it has its good and bad looking for something better Thanks again

[@BentleyPascoe]

No real changes since this video. To be honest, I think there's a ton of flexibility when it comes to substrate and there's a lot of things you can do, but in general I like mixing my substrates typically something like fluval stratum or brightwell Rio escuro, mixed with eco complete

[@clintondarby5922]

@@BentleyPascoe Thanks 3000 for the video! I have read your replies - basically keep the substrate between 3-5" and you would never have the risk of Anaerobic pockets, correct? What is your opinion on using Lava rock in mesh bags (like you would use in a cannister filter for charcoal, purigen, etc..) to build up "Layers/Levels" that are below the Stratum and Eco complete?

[@vasubawa]

Hey, I'm a bit confused.. how thin of a layer does stratum need to be? I have about 35lb of stratum for my 55gal and about I think 60lb of eco which might might not get some moved into a 10 gal for a experiement i wanna run. Its my first time doing layering substrate so I'm not sure how much each layer should be approximatly in my case since I would like not let it go to waste

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@vasubawa at least 1" per layer

[@basfishermanallyear]

I think I’m gonna give this method a go in my 40 gallon breeder. With injected Co2 plus ferts. I like my dirted tanks but they’re becoming more of a pain than what I want to deal with honestly haha. I have had good luck with active substrates in the past so it’s time to go back to it. Also where in the world do I get grape leaves from?

[@BentleyPascoe]

I wouldn't stress too much about the grape leaves, but if you are looking for them, you can find them in the Mediterranean section of some grocery stores or you can find them online. Places like Amazon will sell them both jarred or dried. If you do buy them jarred where they're in a solution, just make sure that you rinse some really well before putting them into your tank

[@basfishermanallyear]

@@BentleyPascoe Thank you! I really like your depths in these videos explaining why you are doing xy and z things to a tank. Also, I have coined this method as the Pascoe method haha.

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Im curious about the fish you put in this tank Because the stratum affects the PH do you have to be careful with the selection of fish ? Could guppies go in this tank ?

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

I was going to add crushed coral for guppies

[@BentleyPascoe]

I just use crushed coral to add hardness

[@marshallroworth3850]

What size Lava rock should i use to build up the substrate before doing the lasagna method? Also where should i get this lava rock is it landscape rock or firepit rock? Thank you

[@BentleyPascoe]

Landscape usually is commonly the right size, about an inch to inch and a half avg size, no smaller than half inch where possible

[@marshallroworth3850]

@@BentleyPascoe thanks

[@marshallroworth3850]

@@BentleyPascoe so when you say a thin layer of stratum, thick layer of eco complete, then layer of stratum. what would you say the layers are in inches? I'm trying to order substrate for my 125 and just trying to order substrate Thanks

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@marshallroworth3850 I would do something like roughly 1 in of echo complete roughly 3 in of stratum and then another roughly 1 inch of the echo complete if you're doing it in that order

[@marshallroworth3850]

@@BentleyPascoe I was going to do eco complete in the middle like you suggest, so is the what you mean? 1" stratum 2-3" eco complete 1" stratum

[@atkinsnatureaquariums3552]

Thank you for the awesome content and info, I love the substrate 101 series, looking forward to see you use Safe-T-Sorb. Lasagna method is my favorite with different active substrates.

[@8bitkuba235]

@Bentley Pascoe what kind of substrate you recommend for plants for profit style tank, where you plant and pull out plants constantly?

[@BentleyPascoe]

The simple method I describe, mixed together.

[@tonyadams4726]

So I am guessing from this series you don’t like a sand cap. For my second tank I was planning on do this but with a sand cap

[@BentleyPascoe]

Sand caps can be done, but I tend to prefer dark substrate, so rarely does sand offer anything for me.

[@alecthenice8115]

Grape leaves helped me propagate my aceh highlands cryptocoryne

[@tomk2147]

Hello Bentley, Today 4/30/21 first time I listened and subscribed to your channel. You talked about substrate that caught my attention. I don't like bare bottom tanks nor sand only tanks. I did have a tank when I was 10 yrs old, 10g tank, 2 angels, mollies, algae eater, and a few other fish. The angels were beautiful grew BIGGER HOWEVER the mollies were forever with ick and the tank was too small, it crashed; the tank became history. I enjoyed the tank but did not have the best advice back then. Plus the substrate was directly on the bottom of the tank was not the best thing. This did not let the tank circulate well and it created problems. At this time I do not have a tank, I plan to move so this is the other reason not to have a tank at this time so not to disrupt the fish. In due time I would like to have a planted tank with 12 Discus and other friendly fish to Discus and I will NOT overload the tank with fish. When I do setup a tank, it will be at least 200 gallon with a very slow moving plenum and substrate. What combination or layering of substrate and depth of substrate would you recommend for a planted tank; slow moving plenum with 12 discus fish in a 200 gallon tank? Thank you

[@BentleyPascoe]

I would do 3-4" of substrate on top of the plenum's cover. Most recently Dr Novak used safe t sorb to cover the plates for his plenum, then has fluval stratum going over it, I think this is a pretty decent set up, though you might also consider Brightwell's line. I have a video coming out Saturday about it.

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Would this work without the c02

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yep, my lasagna style tank has CO2

[@ziurcs]

Hi Bentley, I just discovered one of your videos yesterday. I do Bonsai as well as planted tanks. I really like how you bring your experience into the videos that I have watched. My question is if you were mixing epiphytes with some crypts in a tank -- would you put a good soil in the areas where you are planting the crypts and stem plants? If yes what is a good divider to use to keep the soil in an area? I have tried mixing eco complete with sand and the sand always ended up on the bottom because it was smaller. I used a divider but the eco complete still got into the sand. I could use a type of netting or nylons. Thanks for making this video.

[@BentleyPascoe]

You can use rock with some filter floss, or some people will use thin, semi-flexible plastic the is cut to be a barrier. Something you can get at a craft store typically

[@billsherman6129]

Grape Leaves? Could you point me to the video where you discuss this? Was it in the substrate discussions and I missed it? I'd love to learn more about this. Thanks!

[@billsherman6129]

But where was this discussed?

[@BowBeauties]

Bentley, I absolutely love that you recommend that if we don't like the content that we push the thumbs down twice. Lol!!! :)

[@brianklimaszewski]

So Bentley off topic question, where would you look for stems that are already immersed grown? Stems struggle to convert in my hard water and I hate dealing with the die back and nitrate swings from it.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Usually from hobbyists, but in your case try shop.aquaria-usa.com/

[@Aquatic_Amigo]

What do you think about rock decor...like dragon stone and etc... why is it so expensive and what’s a better buy ..specially for big tank ....do a vedio of rock decor if don’t already have one .

[@BentleyPascoe]

A big part of it is shipping costs honestly. I like it but there's plenty you can buy from rock yards for far cheaper

[@Aquatic_Amigo]

@@BentleyPascoe do they need to be acid washed ?

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@Aquatic_Amigo not always

[@janelle7008]

I have a question. I’m setting up a 75 gal long planted community tank. Can you give me a general rule of thumb on how much substrate to add to a tank? I’m going with your simple substrate eco complete & fluval stratum. Thanks 👍🏻

[@BentleyPascoe]

I have a 75 long, I targeted 3-4" depth to ensure planting was easy and because I used a lot of crypts, which prefer good root space.

[@janelle7008]

@@BentleyPascoe do you have any idea how many bags of substrate it took?

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

Bentley, fluval say not to cap aquasoil, I'm confused now.

[@HOUSESANDCONDOSoCOM]

Thanks for all your terrific videos Bentley. I was looking into changing the substrate in my 60 gallon South American Cichlid tank so I could start using some live plants. I was going to use Eco Complete and cap it with Caribsea special grade sand. Looked at the Rio Escuro-F in your link and they are asking $183.00 for 25 Pounds. Has the price on this substrate gone up significantly since you did this video? Maybe I'm over thinking the substrate for just doing some Anubias and Java Fern. Basic plants just to try for a more natural look. What would you suggest as a substrate for this type of tank? Thanks

[@BentleyPascoe]

It's possible the normal source is out and some third party seller is trying to price gouge

[@HOUSESANDCONDOSoCOM]

@@BentleyPascoe Thanks for getting back to me and all the great videos.

[@damionmarkham9835]

Thanks Bentley, I feel better about buying stratum now, I have a bag of eco complete. I'll be trying your mix in a 60 gallon project in the immediate future. I want to take my time and make a nice scape. Do you think I could mix in or do a layer of safe t sorb with your recipe. I'm contemplating doing some sections with pool filter sand but I'm concerned about the mix and sand blending if I need to start over

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yes, just make sure you charge that safe t sorb first

[@kamelladys]

Hi Bentley, for a simple substrate mix of eco-complete and Fluval stratum, what range of depth should the substrate be? At what depth would most people start to experience anaerobic conditions with this substrate? Thank you.

[@BentleyPascoe]

I would target 3-4" personally, you'd likely need 8+ for any small risk

[@kamelladys]

@@BentleyPascoe thank you, Bentley. I also loved the substrate 101 series. Thank you for all the hard work in the community.

[@bobpurcell3814]

Bentley, thank you for the great information! If I do the simple lasagna method with Brightwell Aquatics, which size would you use? Also, what is the large bag of Brightwell you'd use to mix with eco complete, the 24 lbs or the 15 lbs? Are we going for a 50/50 ratio of them?

[@BentleyPascoe]

24lbs of F size, one bag to one bag. Don't worry about weight/volume being the same

[@bobpurcell3814]

@@BentleyPascoe thank you!

[@zelphernide5758]

I've always wondered about red lava rocks for landscaping. Is it a viable iron source? I haven't found the answer yet. Maybe in just looking for the answer in the wrong way.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Not really a great iron source, but really good as a base layer for preventing compaction and adding height

[@submergedroots]

Do you have to soak the grape leaves or can they just be added dry when they are being layered in the substrate?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Dry is fine, if they come in a solution, just lightly rinse them.

[@frankcarrington5283]

Father fish! Thats my dude as well.

[@luccassanches6840]

Bentley, in Brazil, before aquasoils were available in the market (2000-2005), it was common the use of earthworm castings as substrate. You can see some nice entries of Brazilian scapers in the AGA during this period that use this kind of substrate. It requires some work before use, but it seems to be a lot quicker than the process you described for soils. You can see the process in the Barr Report forum (barrreport.com/threads/earth-worm-casting-for-nutrient-enriched-sediments-how-to.5533/). I have successfully used this previously with earthworm castings and regular dirt. I'm just suggesting this, because I think that, with this method, you will save a lot of time compared to the protocol you mentioned in the other video and the result should be similar (mineralization of the soil). Just a tip that might make your job easier in the future.

[@luccassanches6840]

Remove the last '')" in the link. It came out wrong.

[@BentleyPascoe]

So part of the reason I would do mineralized clay over the worm castings method will become apparent when it's done, there's some small tricks you can do that make it last a VERY long time.

[@domesticwoods]

Hi Bentley! Thanks for your informative videos! I have a gravel substrate and added Fuval Flourite red a year or so ago. I have well water, and the fish seem to do fine, but my plants suffer. Would it be a good idea to add the Ecco Complete to the existing substrate, and if so, will that be safe to do with existing fish or could that cause an ammonia spike? Thanks so much!

[@BentleyPascoe]

Eco-Complete usually does not leech ammonia, it has a bacterial starter in it, so you should be ok, but you might try adding it slowly rather than all at once to limit stuff getting in the water column.

[@domesticwoods]

@@BentleyPascoe Thanks so much!

[@shrimp929]

Could I use fresh grape leaves? I have a ton growing around me.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yep! Just make sure to blanch them for a quick sterilization.

[@edstaart8548]

Thanks for this series, really interesting. I want to go with AN active substrate but my tank is balanced and doing fine, plants also but not every plant and thats THE thing that makes me save up to change iT. But taking the tank down is something I'm not ready for, it's finally looking beautifull, I run gravel and roottabs and clay balls , but not a 10. So I ve to change it soon before the MAH course .

[@BentleyPascoe]

If it's working, don't change it. The old adage: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[@neilwhitehead166]

I found the entire substrate series very educational, probably the best one I have seen on KZbin to date. What I would love to see is some top tips on how to charge some of those non-active layers such as lava rock as apposed to ADA Power Sand - can it be done?

[@bubblerings]

Some people put the active stuff in mesh bags with plastic zippers.. From Amazon. (since this comment is a year old...)

[@bubblerings]

My bad.. Thought it said Change layers. Can Charge kitty litter or Oil Dri, etc.. In his Alternative Substrates in this series.

[@wolfz1b185]

saf-t-sorb use new learning. As for my method is a 3 layer 1st layer small lava rock then Landen Aqua Soil Black last Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum. Note lava rock soaked month in bucket with Powder Aquarium Biological Additive with Minerals and air stone

[@BentleyPascoe]

Really good system, I like it!

[@AverageAnimal]

I'm getting ready to setup a new 375 gallon planted tank. I've bought a ton of Seachem Black Sand and Fluval Stratum. The idea was to end up with 4 inches of substrate with the black sand on the bottom and the Stratum on top. After watching this video I'm thinking that that my not be the best idea. Should I put the black sand on top instead?

[@BentleyPascoe]

I think a thin layer of the sand on top would be optimal

[@AverageAnimal]

Bentley Pascoe how about if I mixed them together? Do you think that will reduce compaction enough?

[@submergedroots]

I've been hesitant to try any of the "active" substrates, because they lower PH. What would be a good solution for a substrate that will grow plants well, but not lower the PH? Would Laterite leeching into the water column cause excess algae growth? I have an aquarium setup with Laterite as a base layer with a few root tabs, capped with Eco Complete. After 6 months, I'm still getting hair algae growing on the substrate and even on plants. I've reduced the photoperiod to 10 hours and lowered intensity to 50%, I'm running CO2 and have zero nitrates or ammonia. I'm stumped as to what to do.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Not having a small, low dose of nitrates for plants will help algae sustain. With nitrates plants can continuously feed and fight off algae.

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Fluval Stratum

[@dadsbus]

I liked this series Bentley. I had decided to use only Eco-complete. Now I think I'm going to do the lasagna method.

[@tmartin2347]

Great series of videos, keep them coming. I'm going to do the lasagna method with fluval/ eco complete. what are your thoughts on me making a base layer with the small decorative lava rocks, with root tabs? Then start with fluval, eco complete, and fluval? I'm either setting up a 90 gallon, or a 4' 120 gallon tank.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Should do great for heavy root feeders.

[@tmartin2347]

What about capping this method with sand ?

[@tmartin2347]

If I capped the lasagna method with sand, would I get the same results ? 1/2”-3/4” for my corydoras.

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@tmartin2347 should be ok

[@vampgaia]

I’m gonna try the mix you talked about. Stratum allow annoys the bleep out of me.

[@tmartin2347]

Can you let us know how thick the layers should be ?

[@BentleyPascoe]

That depends entirely on the substrate used and tank. In general, if you're doing the lasagna method that I love, I shoot for 4-5" of total substrate depth.

[@pugamusmaximus]

I love it.

[@Nutakins]

Is that tank behind you a plants for profits tank/the same one you show close ups of in this vid? If not, can you by chance post some close ups of the plants in the background to see what we can hope to achieve?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Plants for profit is a different tank, this is my 75g long.

[@Nutakins]

@@BentleyPascoe Awesome, thanks!

[@howardlieberman2379]

Your series is very informative. Thank you. Question - for the "simple method" how many bags of each for a 20 gallon long? On the Stratum, I am assuming one bag would be the 17.6lb size.

[@BentleyPascoe]

For a 20 long I would do the eco complete with the 17lbs bag of stratum, one of each should give you a good substrate layer

[@howardlieberman2379]

@@BentleyPascoe Thank you so much!!

[@howardlieberman2379]

@@BentleyPascoe Thank You!!!

[@swatch12345]

Call me Garfield because I love lasagna. Can you make a rudimentary like cross cutting of this substrate on paint or whatever? Like a quick illustration labeled with the preferred substrates for each layer?

[@shesellsfish]

Biggest surprise...kitty litter. 👍💓👍

[@patricklaundra3286]

wow. welcome to my nightmare .. lol .. not doin the complex method dude ; ) yeah I get it. grape leaves and all. sounds just like the real thing. but it also sounds like just as much mess as the just say No to dirted thing you talk about so often. I gota admit I'm intrigued by all this. I did research it online for just a minute. but it only took a minute to read the horror stories about Stratum on Amazon reviews .. I think I'll stick with just Echo Complete. for now anyway. & even that can be messy for a couple days. I really like your explanation of all these options though. it's good to know the facts about how it all works. I may consider a patch of stratum or fluorite red under specific plants at some point. if root tabs aren't enough .. I used to have a few plants that flowered even, under bad light & inert gravel. so I think I'll be pretty happy with a simple active substrate & a Fuval 3.0 .. especially when I get my low & slow co2 system setup .. as always. Thank you kindly for sharing great information in a practical application form.

[@StephenP2003]

So I take it that flourite black is pretty ordinary, and no reason to choose it over eco complete. I have both, and I just think flourite black looks better and that's about it.

[@BentleyPascoe]

There is some mineral content to the black, but overall I'd agree with your statement

[@ContrastNY]

I'm going to try the lasagna method!

[@spotlightinspect5540]

I have regretted eco complete by itself from day one because it is so hard to put plants in and it seems too compact. I wish I had known about brightwell when I set it up. If my fish weren’t so happy I’d rip it out. I hate it.

[@asier2001]

Important lesson: dirt tanks are dangerous... Only thinking all fishes floating up... too dangerous... Too frustrating if something goes wrong. Thanks

[@TankTastic]

Feel like I’m on the way to getting a degree in horticulture. 😂👍

[@Hermanmiller113]

Hi Bentley I just got a 20 gallon tank to upgrade from 5 gallon with tetras and guppies. I want to make more natural looking with live plants I have small river rock substrate but after watching seems not good for live plants can I place a 2 in base of active substrate as base and 1 inch of the river rock? Then how long should I wait to add my fish from 5 gallon tank

[@BentleyPascoe]

You can have just rock as a base if you use plants that are mostly water column feeders. You also can do the active substrate with a gravel cap. If you do the substrate, just keep testing, usually a couple weeks is enough, but make sure you are not seeing ammonia or nitrite.

[@Tabernaster]

Hello, in the video you mention that Flourite Red contains some laterite. Does the Flourite Black also contain some laterite? Thank you very much for all of your videos, it's great to learn from your experience.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Laterite specifically I don't think so, if so it's a small amount, but part of the mixture has some very small amounts of iron within that baked clay product.

[@gsmhnc12]

Human malware... hahahahahahahahahaha.... no bad humans, only bad programming. Nurture can suck...