I WANT TO FIND THE BEST PLANTED TANK SUBSTRATE! NEW EXPERIMENT!

It's time for a new experiment! This time we are testing 6 different planted tank substrates at the same time! Which one is going to give us the best results?
Everything I'm using for this experiment (affiliate links)
Tank
US: bit.ly/3qE968B
EU: bit.ly/3S0rJ2J
Light
US: bit.ly/3dVYmPQ
EU: bit.ly/3D7RAB1
AQUARIO NEO SOIL
US: bit.ly/3Hopkda
EU: bit.ly/3fxvcHp
FLUVAL STRATUM
US: amzn.to/3fqiKJr
EU: amzn.to/3SruUQL
WIO WETLAND EONIAN
EU: bit.ly/3Ci1uPv
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#plantedtank #aquascape #mjaquascaping

[@unidaddy]

I’m too impatient! I think you should have made this video a month ago, held it, then given us the after at the end!😂 Your videos are always so informative and beautifully made! Thank you so much!

[@jasper5878]

Then he would get only 1 video. This guy is brig brained

[@bobbylefebvre7197]

@@jasper5878 hold onto both and release them Netflix style...

[@Melyr]

Really cool experiment and I'm curious to see the results! I've kept my tank simple with root tabs + gravel/sand so it'll be interesting to see how much growth I might be missing out on.

[@Patrickjk]

Idea for the next experiment Try different brands recommended substrate system and fertilising. For example : 1. ADA - powersand+super4+amazonia ver.2 ADA ferts as the brand requires 2. Tropica - Tropica aquarium soil only-OR- tropica substrate 1cm capped with sand or gravel. Specialised/premium ferts depending on fish. 3. Aquario neo soil with root tabs provided in the bag. Aquario ferts. Then dennerle, UNS etc. Can try following the maintenance and fert regime recommended by the respective brands on their website/YT channel. Everything else (CO2, water, light, filter and media etc) same. 1 Foreground, 1 mid and 1 BG plant each....

[@KenLe1998]

Bro, this is good idea But he doesn't get everything for free 🤣

[@RenegadeLK]

Can't wait to find out which is better. Right now I only have access to Fluval Stratum locally and am about to use it as the base substrate for my 40g breeder tank. Fingers cross it wins this experiment!

[@ericaguinaldo3661]

I want to make tanks again because of your videos :)

[@jonasfilms4825]

this is amazing. Not all of us can answer this question and I can’t even find an experiment like this online. You’re doing great and i love these experimental projects. Please keep them up.

[@SoraiaLMotta]

your experiments help out to bring more scientific approach to methods and products recommendations. thank you

[@Toadtoadtoadtoadtoad]

My 10g Walstad substrate is organic soil capped with a 50/50 of black sand and aquasoil. I used the 50/50 combo because the extra density from the sand made planting much easier. It fully cycled within a month. Matured within four months. Basic planted tank LED light form Amazon and basic power filter. Nothing fancy. Plant heavy. Going strong for two years. No liquid fertilizer and no CO2 injection (modified Walstad).

[@taco2422]

this experiment is just so cool , cant wait to see the result!

[@renandoprasetyo5538]

Maan this is so creative and useful... Keep it going bro your channel have a uniqueness and that's what makes people keep comin to watch

[@salghanim]

Like it. But it was better if you compared Ada Amazonia versions with Tropica and Aquario and JBL the most common names in the hobby. Good luck

[@avinash.samuel1992]

As always really appreciate your work and the effort you put into making these types of comparison videos. 👍 Can't wait for the results 🙂

[@richardcunliffe]

The plant variety in this experiment is probably wider and more interesting than many of us have in our scapes! Oh to have such a selection on hand 😃 you deserve it for all the work you put in though. Thanks MJ

[@criteschristine]

Very excited to see this experiment. I would have loved to see ada soil in there too, but I definitely like that you expanded it outside of the aquasoils to other options. Love you choice of protective eyewear 😎

[@ravscape]

Another great idea for a movie. I am very curious about the results. I am waiting for the next films, best regards.

[@BravoD1Nonly]

I'm one of the viewers that uses fluval stratum and I never rinse it. It's a good budget substrate. But need to add root tabs after a few months. Keeps my plants healthy though.

[@Hazel-Hill]

Great idea for a new test. Anxious to see results

[@alex19371]

Best youtube chanel in this hobby by far!!! Waiting for the results🙏🙏🙏

[@Alex-wb2yw]

I used #6 when I set up my first tank, and it actually worked really well. Plants exploded in growth. There was a little bit of algae at first, but it cleared up.

[@joshkeyworth4679]

Hey man. I’ve done pond soil and aqua soil. It was so successful in my low tech tank.

[@zigavracar3170]

Im just smiling when you said your water is little hard with kh 7 gh 9😅 my tapwater is kh 18 and gh 25+ so i have to use RO water. Nice video tho, love watching them.

[@Chardymc]

6 little sponge filters and you've got 6 ready made shrimp tanks now haha

[@se5908]

really cool experiment! practically the plants in the middle could get much more light vom left and right, than the plants on the side appartements! solution: 3 lights to each section (leddys?) and a non translucent dividing wall would improve the fairness I think!?

[@hardouindenis9530]

Great idea ! I can't wait to see the results ! Specially with "aqua" lava rock like wio or flourite. with my bad habit to re scape everything when i'm not happy, this type of soil could cost me less. Remind me that i need to open a blog or something for keeping images of my aquariums (need to find an easy, cheap one, out of GAFA (if possible, the more far from them) and privacy respectful. not simple...). For the soil, i used stratum, tropica, aquario neo (and JBL but not here so). The stratum are the lowest in nutriments. Good for planting (just like the other) but really need something downside or using tab very often. A little bit like an old regular tropica soil. Tropica are the middle one for that and aquario the hightest in nutriments and stay longest than the other (even without their beginning root tabs). But i will see that. Just to be patient now. (the sand plus caps could be cheap and good one but how many time before refile it). I stop, i need to be patient now :) Oh, by the way, be careful, i saw false "MJ aquascaping" phishing here for a telegram channel !

[@crystalwilder]

Cannot wait to hear what you've found out! I need to redo my substrate soon.

[@philcarlino6942]

This is awesome, MJ. Love your creativity. Looking forward to the progress. Take care.

[@aquaskeptic]

Fluval Stratum is popular in the states because it’s readily available at the large pet store chains

[@stonecoldcarebear]

Great idea MJ! Can't wait to see the results of this one.

[@dragon6irl]

Do you think you can do something similar, but show how different types of substrate affect the water parameters over time? I know some cause an ammonia spike, raise the pH, etc.

[@legionaquatics]

I've always wanted someone to do this experiment so I'm exited to see the results!

[@stephenevans7884]

Epic video. Fair play. You are the best aquascaper. You win. Thank you.

[@MarcoHdz90]

Hi, this is a great experiment, an idea for the next experiment, you should do an experiment between different types of root tabs, just as this one but with plain gravel adding on the slots different brands and DIY root tabs to see how they compare, that would be great ;)

[@williammcdowell6257]

Gosh Mark, when I have tried cutting glass - a disaster. I was really impressed. Great experiment.

[@OriginalMindTrick]

I'm with you on this one. 6 is looking good.

[@pantomathind]

it would have been better with ad a amazonia, tropica , contro & jbl . maybe in part 2 . ✌✌👌👌

[@jscapes782]

Enjoy these experiments 😊

[@grantsh0e]

Always love your experiment videos. Can't wait to see the results! I feel like we always over complicate a lot of things so it'll be interesting to see how some of these brands do.

[@nicaellanavarra5429]

Cant wait see the results. I’m new to this hobby and your videos helped me a lot in setting up my nano tank. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Great video as always 👍🏼

[@arrowblue3909]

I am also using lillypad gravel for pond. Its been an year the growth of plant is good

[@jayfuller3709]

Great experiment! I have used Fluval Stratum in an experiment tank capped with gravel. The Crypt went nuts. from 2" to 5" in 4 weeks!

[@tropicalhorizons]

Cant wait for the results too! Maybe, you could have added some type of walstad (aka. garden/backyard soil)

[@dexterchan9267]

Can't wait to see the updates!

[@coopmaster127]

Cool experiment! Dennis Wong - owner and creator of APT fertilizer products used soil capped with aquasoil for years to save on cost. He got really good results, but has said it can be a bit difficult/messy to maintain over time.

[@shredgnar8242]

I really like your experiment episodes. I'm excited to see the results of this one!

[@TheMikaelC]

A very unique a fun process to follow! Thank you!

[@EriksWorld14]

Wish you would have tried different potting soils. Fox Farms (specifically Ocean Forest & Happy Frog) makes great potting soil mixtures and they're my go to when it comes to dirted tanks.

[@tombarb2864]

Ok…..let’s go! Like everyone else, I’m anxious to see the results. The fluval soil is what I have used on my two tanks. Thanks MJ, I like this experiment 👏🏼👏🏼

[@dimitrisborbotsialos]

I would use black glass for seperation because the middle now gets more light from the sides. But even though, cool experiment!

[@iliutasilviu]

Regarding aquarium substrates, last year I tried Father Fish's method and never ever looked back. His style of making substrates isn't necessarily aquascape oriented (since it's pretty thick all around) but my maintenance has gone down quite a bit. Also, water quality has gone waaaaaaaay up. I think you should try it.

[@aquariumplantman]

I like watching these experiments Mark, keen to see the results.

[@darylbaer355]

I am a huge fan of your channel! My first time commenting though. Thank you for all your content. I appreciate all the experiments that you do for us viewers. This one could not have come at a better time for me. I was just given a beautiful all in one rimless tank with a a cabinet and sump and I have been debating what substrate I want to start out with. I’m using your big shallow as inspiration. Absolutely love that tank! Love the wio products too but I haven’t been able to find a supplier in the US. Thanks again for all that you do and keep the great content coming!

[@AquascapingLiverpool]

Great idea mark 👌🏼

[@Rehan90]

Man I love these experiment videos from you MJ. Much love

[@AIGold-yr3jp]

I made a 1ish gal shrimp tank with forest soil (leaf compost completely turned to dirt) and Fuval shrimp substrate as the capper like what you're attempting here. After some unfortunate events, I was unable to maintain it at all shortly after it was first set up. As in completely untouched for over 6 months. No water changes, no filter, no heater, no food for the shrimp inside. It just sat in a sunny window. I bought about 4 cherry shrimp, an amano, and some other rainbows (One or two i think) shortly after the water tested well. I still have 8 cherry shrimp in it now, over a year and a half later. It amazes me to this day how good it looks after I was unable to touch it for so long. The plants inside are a banana plant, red tiger lily, and dwarf hairgrass, all growing extremely well.

[@sunlounger29]

That's an awesome experiment! Thanks for the work you have put into it!

[@andystokes8702]

My only criticism is that you should have measured the amount of substrate by volume rather than by weight. Fluval stratum is much much lighter than gravel, a kilo of each isn't even close as far as volume is concerned.

[@Sinserg]

I am going for pond sould+aquasoil, I have similar setup and I've been having good plant growth even though I am not using the best set of lights. 👍

[@rgilroy1909]

notifications are on, can't wait for the results - too impatient

[@johnleee3804]

Cant wait for.the results

[@johnleee3804]

How do i text you straight in telegram😅

[@ShrimpMania]

I like this experiment! You did a good job of silicone that glass partitions. I would use aquarium-grade silicone instead of a kitchen one, but I guess if it's only for a short time that would be ok.

[@bigben8369]

Nice experiment! Looking forward to seeing the results. I don't think there are going to be massive differences. But I'm rooting for the Wio!

[@melsATL]

Que ganas de ver resultados!!!! 😜😜

[@BigBoy_Aquascape]

Soil and aquasoil for sure the winner 🙂

[@32688rajesh]

Really cool experiment. However you missed 2 major soil. 1. ADA amazonia ver2 2. Tropica soil

[@yau1225]

IMO this experiment isn't in a controlled enough environment. The middle section will get significantly more light compared to the two side compartments.

[@masterbaiter327]

Dear Sir, I totally adore your shelf. Any link to where you got it? It looks incredibly sturdy. Something that I need!

[@WytchyStitches]

Bulgar and sunglasses...my kind of DIY. A piece of advice in future glass work... have sandpaper on hand to do the edges, especially in small space like you are creating, so as not to cut yourself at the time of cutting or later use. :)

[@RyanStonedonCanadianGaming]

I've done stratum and white sand top, Bad idea, either my lighting is to bright or too long or the nutrients grows algae like crazy. Can't wait to see the gravel and pond soil or root tablet and tropica powder substrate pond soil mixture results.

[@DKLordByron]

it will be exciting to follow. 🤗 you could also have tested tropica substrate with gravel. I use it myself and think it lasts well and the plants thrive. 😀

[@Lumpydog]

Fun experiment. Thanks for sharing. p.s. the tank sections in the middle will be getting slightly more light than the sections on the ends.

[@Evil_Genius_888]

I use the FluvalSmart Stratum because it’s the only aquasoil I can get locally.

[@lowqualitynut6548]

I respect you so much for sacrificing those two beautiful tanks, I am horrible with silicone🤣

[@asier2001]

Great experiment! Number 6 will promote explosive growth to plants.

[@runARGH]

My high tech, heavily planted tank has a thick layer of garden soil and another of Tropica Aquarium Soil. I did the dry start method, and it has been flooded for about half a year now. It's doing great! Definitely my most successful tank, but it's also my most high tech, so it will be interesting to see how a low tech setup does!

[@galandris1976]

I like your videos so much. Greetings from Hungary!

[@neilburkinshaw2818]

I haven’t watched it yet and I liked it because these are always good I’m am actually excited to learn which is the best dirt. I need to get out more

[@ruudvoeten]

Great experiment.

[@edson1474]

Very nice test. I think the best will be the six. I have made the pretty same but not with a pond substrate. Enjoy the grow 💚

[@NicoKnol]

Great idea. Think the pond versions will do great.

[@riverwoodaquatics7028]

Great experiment 👍🏻

[@andreasheiner3426]

Eagerly waiting for your results... Is there any particular reason you made the separation up to the top (and created basically 6 separate tanks). You now test substrate + water, not only substrate

[@mohamedshabeen445]

Great experiment. But it’s sad that most of the top brands soil are not in the list. For e.g: ada, Dennerle, seachem and uns controsoil.

[@fabioarmandominaarias6210]

Excelente experimento, gracias brother

[@echoesvayne9790]

Bets on middle compartment? Since it will get the most light? Should have painted the dividers... at the very least if the experiment skews for the middle being the best or worst I think I needs repeated with the soils shuffled to make sure that isn't the cause

[@johnlinehan9053]

Interesting experiment 👏

[@walterotiepka1460]

Very cool experiment, I use fluval stratum, in my area it's the easiest to get. I've had good success with it

[@AquaBenyStyle]

Very interesting experiment 🎬👍😎👌 I wonder how it will grow 😏👌

[@aquajunction3727]

Waiting for this one 😍

[@Manish_Kokode]

Pond+aqua soil clear winner 🎉

[@oftheHowl]

Aw no amazonia, I was always curious if it's worth the extra cost Great experiment though this is exactly the info the hobby needs especially newer people who are doing their research

[@kuroinc2321]

yea, i also wondering why not using ADA brand

[@christopherrenn8137]

I got a experiment for you, you did Co2 v none. What about just running just a Air stone, one would think the ambient Co2 in the air would leech vs no aeration at all (increased surface area of the aeration may have an effect but is it noticeable?).

[@lowcheetoong6638]

Should do a comparison between aquario, fluval, Tropica, ADA, Seachem, netlea- that would be great.

[@denmarcyee836]

I go for the dirt gravel style 🥰 Excited for the results

[@darekk.8171]

Great idea. I am your new subscriber. Good luck

[@marionvanroon5302]

Echt gaaf wat je doet! Wacht met spanning af. Denk namelijk ook vaak over wat voor soort bodems en zie graag over 5 weken het resultaat. Jammer dat ik je niet op vivarium zie. Veel plezier

[@martincregg]

Fluval Stratum would be my choice. Let’s see 😀

[@lsi7675]

Not sure I’d say stratum is popular here in the US but it’s basically the only one available in a lot of places. But I never washed it either and it’s always worked fine.

[@TheDodgeboy87]

This is very cool, I’m definitely interested in seeing the end results. I am actually doing similar stuff as you. Should be interesting and fun

[@healthypoh3288]

My god, this is an exciting experiment !. I am too impatient to see the final result. 👍

[@thesolaraquarium]

My guess is the best will be 1. Pond soil + aquasoil powder 2. Pond soil + sand Would be surprised if the others can do better in 12 months. Soil has longterm abilities. Worst will be sand + root tabs I am thinking.

[@arven5373]

I just saw one similar video to this but they're using eco complete,ada v2, and top soil I think..They also use root tabs and without root tabs for comparison.Turns out Eco complete has the best results out of the three regardless if it has root tabs or none.ADA soil with root tabs came in 2nd.Good experiment and I learned a lot.