Aquatic plants can liven up any aquarium, but a fair bit of work is necessary for making sure your greenery never loses its color. You can achieve this by making sure your plants’ nutritional needs are met.
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In addition to using fertilizer, substrates designed for planted aquariums can give your greenery a little boost. This can also prevent any discolored or droopy leaves, ammonia spikes and even algae growth, which definitely isn’t attractive.
However, not just any substrate will cut it in a planted tank. To maintain a healthy planted aquarium, you need one that contains a wide range of essential nutrients to ensure your plants grow and thrive.
It can be confusing knowing which type and how much substrate to use for a planted aquarium, especially as there are so many different varieties.
To save you some time and frustration, I’ve reviewed an array of substrates to help you find the best planted tank substrate.
After considering all the options our top picks were…
Review Summary
Caribsea Eco-Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate
The substrate is mineralogically and biologically complete, so it offers more than enough nourishment for your aquatic plants.
Best All-Rounder: Caribsea Eco-Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate
Out of all the best substrates I’ve reviewed, this is my overall recommendation to use in a planted tank.
Caribsea Eco-Complete aquarium substrate is great for a planted tank. It provides your plants with a wide range of nutrients and elements, including iron, magnesium, and potassium. It also contains heterotrophic bacteria which transform fish waste into food for the plants in your tank.
Despite being low in price, Mr Aqua Water Plant Soil works fairly well in planted tanks. It’s made up of organic and inert ingredients that provide your aquatic plants with essential nutrients.
Best on a Budget: Mr. Aqua N-MAR-066 Plant Soil
If you’re looking for an affordable aquarium substrate for plants, this one is a good substrate option.
The Mr Aqua fish tank soil is one of the best low-costing substrates for a planted tank. It’s composed of organic and inert materials to nourish a planted tank and keep it looking its best. The substrate has buffering qualities that soften your tank water and can last for between 12 and 18 months.
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Normal Type Planted Aquarium Substrate
This ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia substrate is rich in organic nutrients and elements, which helps the growth of aquarium plants and is beneficial for fish and shrimp.
Editor’s Choice: ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Normal Type Planted Aquarium Substrate
My personal favorite substrate for a tank with plants. It’s a little pricey but is incredibly advantageous for many aquatic plants.
I really like using ADA aquarium soil in a planted tank as its very nutrient-rich, which is beneficial for plants, fish, and shrimp. It’s derived from decomposed leaf mulch and helps reduce the water hardness and PH level in a planted tank.
Benefits of Substrate in an Aquarium
Using substrate in your tank is beneficial for both fish and live plants. It creates a natural habitat for fish and allows them to forage for food or a place to hide. Bottom dwelling tropical fish like corydoras also like to burrow in substrate and a substrate brooding cichlid lay their eggs in the substrate, particularly sand.
Certain types of substrate can also improve the tank water chemistry. For example, coral substrate can help raise the hardness of your water, which is useful if you own species that don’t do well in soft water.
NOTE
Furthermore, if your fish are breeding, substrate provides a safe area for fish eggs. This reduces the risk of your tank inhabitants eating the eggs or any newly hatched fry.
Beneficial to Live Plants
Now, for live plants, substrate is crucial as it gives them a place to root properly. Substrates targeted for planted aquariums also nourish your plants with nutrients. Plants with complex root systems require a hefty amount of substrate, so using too little can affect their growth and overall health.
for live plants, substrate is crucial as it gives them a place to root properly…
Finally, substrate is aesthetically pleasing in most tanks. Although you can have a tank without any substrate (bare bottom tank), they definitely don’t look as appealing as those with a substrate.
As aquarium substrates come in a lot of different varieties and colors, it allows for a lot of creativity and customization when styling your aquarium. I really like using a mixture of black and white fine sand in my tanks as it provides a salt and pepper appearance.
Types of Substrate for Aquarium Plants
There are a number of different substrates you can use in a planted aquarium. Depending on the specific requirements of your plants and fish, some substrates are better choices.
Aquarium Sand
Sand is a popular substrate for many aquarists. It’s a great choice for a delicate fish that likes to dig or burrow, such as corydoras.
However, if you don’t regularly stir or mix up sand in your fish tank, then toxic gas pockets can occur. Additionally, as sand is very fine, it can easily get stuck or clog up your filter.
Coral Sand
Despite being called “coral sand”, the texture is much similar to regular aquarium gravel. It’s made up of calcium carbonate which gradually dissolves. This dissolving process helps counterbalance any acid build-up or rotting organic materials in your aquarium water.
The substrate also raises the PH level in your tank water by making it more alkaline. If you own species of fish that prefer high PH levels, then coral sand is an ideal option.
Marbles
Although you might not think it, marbles can be used as an aquarium substrate. They’re spherical and come in a wide range of options. In breeding tanks, marbles are advantageous as eggs will land between the large gaps, which protects them from being eaten.
However, the big gaps between individual marbles can trap fish waste or food, which can pollute and affect the quality of your water.
Marble Chippings
Marble chippings are similar to coral sand as they are calcium carbonate based. However, they are more dense and less porous than coral sand. Additionally, marble chippings don’t raise the PH of your tank water as much as coral sand.
Aragonite
Another calcium carbonate based substrate is aragonite sand. It slowly but continuously releases calcium carbonate to increase and maintain a high PH.
On average, using aragonite sand can raise your PH to around 8.2. It’s best used in reef or marine setups for this reason.
Soil-like Substrate
This type of substrate looks exactly like soil in color. It comes in a wide range of particle sizes, from fine grains to small balls. Soil-like substrate is normally tightly packed and contains a lot of nutrients that are advantageous for aquatic plants.
Hands down, soil-like substrate is best used in a planted aquarium. The tightly packed texture of the substrate allows aquatic plants to root properly. The wealth of nutrients the substrate contains are excellent for the growth of your aquatic root feeding plants.
How Much Substrate For a Planted Tank?
As a general rule, you should use around 2 to 3 inches of substrate in your planted tank. If you use too much substrate in your planted aquarium, then it can increase the risk of toxic gas pockets developing. In contrast, using too little substrate won’t provide enough space for your plants to root.
Some plants like anubias and java fern can survive without substrate, so if you own these species, you can get away with a shallower substrate layer. On the flipside, crypts and amazon swords need a deep layer of substrate to develop their root systems.
Planted Aquarium Substrate Reviews
CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate
The substrate is mineralogically and biologically complete, so it offers more than enough nourishment for you aquatic plants.
Best All-Rounder: CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate
The Caribsea Eco-Complete aquarium substrate is an excellent option for plants due to how many nutrients it provides. It’s made from rich basaltic volcanic soil that contains calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and over 25 other elements necessary for healthy plant growth.
The Caribsea Eco-Complete aquarium substrate is an excellent option for plants due to how many nutrients it provides…
The Caribsea substrate is mineralogically and biologically complete, so it offers more than enough nourishment for your aquatic plants. Not chemically treated or zero artificial chemical coatings, dyes, or paints are used in the formula, which is a plus.
Caribsea Eco-Complete consists of porous spherical grains for good substrate diffusion performance. It also features heterotrophic bacteria that quickly turn fish waste into food for your aquatic plants. In a new tank, this helps establish a natural biological balance to make the cycling process more rapid.
Easy to Use
Using the substrate is easy. There is no need to rinse Eco Complete. All you need to do is place it in an empty tank, then add water, plants, and turn on your filter and pumps. If your tank is already set up, then mix a few pounds of the substrate each day over at least a week.
The main issue with this substrate is that it can raise the PH of your water. However, this can be counteracted by using almond leaves, driftwood, or peat moss to lower the PH of your water.
The substrate isn’t very heavy, which can make it easy for some plants to be uprooted or more difficult for them to develop root systems.
Specs
- Item Size: 18” x 12” x 8”
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Type of Substrate: Soil-like substrate
Pros
- Contains a lot of elements
- Zero artificial chemicals, dyes, or paints are used in the formula
- Highly porous
- Helps turn fish waste into natural food for aquatic plants
Cons
- Can raise the PH level of your water
- Not very heavy, which can make it hard for certain plants to root well
Despite being low in price, Mr Aqua Water Plant Soil works fairly well in planted tanks. It’s made up of organic and inert ingredients that provide your aquatic plants with essential nutrients.
Best on a Budget: Mr. Aqua N-MAR-066 Plant Soil
Despite being low in price, Mr Aqua Water Plant Soil works fairly well in planted tanks. It’s made up of organic and inert substrate ingredients that provide your aquatic plants with essential nutrients, while also giving them a stable area to root.
The soil offers buffering qualities for softening your water and is able to increase your PH level. If you don’t want your PH to increase, you can simply add almond leaves, driftwood, or peat moss to lower the PH. A nice feature about this substrate is that it can purify the water that is discolored from using driftwood.
This water plant soil from Mr Aqua is very long-lasting and doesn’t need to be replaced for 12 to 18 months…
This water plant soil from Mr Aqua is very long-lasting and doesn’t need to be replaced for 12 to 18 months. The substrate is deep black, so it would look especially stunning in a blackwater tank.
However, Mr. Aqua’s aquarium substrates are not without its faults. Its low weight can make it hard for some plants to root in. It can also be a pain to rinse and has a tendency to make your water cloudy and discolored for a long period of time.
Specs
- Item Size: 4” x 2.5” x 9.5”
- Weight: 1.85 lbs
- Type of Substrate: Soil-like substrate
Pros
- Provides a good amount of nutrients
- Lasts a long time
- Can purify water discolored from using driftwood
Cons
- Can turn your water murky or cloudy
- Light weight can make it hard for some plants to root
- Increases PH level
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Normal Type Substrate
This ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia substrate is rich in organic nutrients and elements, which helps the growth of aquarium plants and is beneficial for fish and shrimp.
Editor’s Choice: ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Normal Type Substrate
The ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia substrate is my personal favorite when it comes to the best substrate for plants. It’s made from rare Japanese planted-based black soil that is derived from decomposed leaf mulch.
This Aqua Soil Amazonia substrate is rich in organic nutrients and elements, which helps the growth of aquatic plants and is beneficial for fish and shrimp. The soil helps reduce the PH level and water hardness in planted tanks to meet the needs of most aquatic plants.
Help Plants Root
To make sure aquatic plants are able to root efficiently in a planted aquarium, the granules and the density of ADA aqua soil substrates are an appropriate size. These granules also have an irregular shape to make them look more natural.
It’s important to note that the soil substrates can cause water cloudiness due to the amount of natural humic acid it contains. With good maintenance and regular water changes, this cloudiness should eventually clear.
TIP
Due to the texture of the soil, it can be hard for certain plants to root or stay anchored.
Specs
- Item Size: 11.81” x 7.87” x 19.69”
- Weight: 16.56 lbs
- Type of Substrate: Soil-like substrate
Pros
- Rich in organic elements and nutrients
- Great for aquatic plants, fish, and shrimp
- Reduces PH level and softens water
Cons
- Can cause cloudy water
- Can be difficult for some plants to stay rooted in
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Substrate
This planted aquarium substrate is beneficial for plants and shrimp. It’s made with nutrient rich volcanic soil. It aids with the growth of plants.
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Substrate
This planted aquarium substrate is beneficial for plants and shrimp. It’s made with nutrient rich volcanic soil that contains essential minerals for your aquarium plants. It aids with the growth of plants and allows for roots to penetrate and develop throughout the substrate.
The light, porous texture of Fluval Stratum substrate also gives beneficial bacteria a place to colonize…
The light, porous texture of Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum substrate also gives beneficial bacteria a place to colonize, which further increases its effectiveness in a planted aquarium. If you own newly hatched shrimp, this planted aquarium substrate is ideal as it gives them a safe area to hide in and escape from predators.
Fluval’s soil promotes neutral to slightly acidic PH levels. If you have driftwood in your planted aquarium, then Fluval Stratum can also help purify the water and remove discoloration.
My only gripe with this planted tank soil is that it is very dusty, which can cause water cloudiness.
Specs
- Item Size: Unknown
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
- Type of Substrate: Soil-like substrate
Pros
- Made from nutrient rich volcanic soil
- Effectively grows plants and allows for proper rooting
- Beneficial for shrimp tank
- Helps remove water discoloration from using driftwood
Cons
- Can turn your water cloudy
Seachem Flourite Black Clay Gravel
It consists of special clay minerals that are ideal for planted tanks. It also provides a stable place for aquatic plants to root.
Seachem Flourite Black Clay Gravel
Seachem is known in the fishkeeping community for their high-quality aquarium products, and their substrates are no exception. Seachem Flourite black clay gravel is targeted for a planted tank. It’s very porous and can be used as the sole substrate in a tank or mixed with other substrates.
Seachem Flourite black clay gravel is targeted for a planted tank. It’s very porous and can be used as the sole substrate in a tank or mixed with other substrates.
It consists of special clay minerals that are ideal for planted tanks. It also provides a stable place for aquatic plants to root. I really like the appearance of the Seachem Flourite Black clay aquarium gravel as its dark color makes it stand out against live aquarium plants like the lucky bamboo or the red leaf ludwigia. Seachem Flourite substrate lasts indefinitely, so you don’t need to worry about replacing it over time.
However, this Seachem Flourite Black clay aquarium gravel substrate doesn’t aid with the growth of aquatic plants, so make sure you use an aquarium plant fertilizer or combine it with a nutrient-rich substrate. Additionally, the texture of Seachem’s substrates can make it hard for certain species of plants to develop root systems.
The substrate also has a tendency to cause a cloudy fish tank or appear dirty due to its dusty consistency.
Specs
- Item Size: 17” x 11.8” x 1.8”
- Weight: 15.43 lbs
- Type: Gravel
Pros
- Attractive appearance
- Lasts indefinitely
- Highly porous
Cons
- Can be difficult for some plants to root in
- Doesn’t provide other nutrients for optimal plant growth
- Very dusty
Summary
Let’s take a quick look at all our top picks…
Best All-Rounder
After looking at a variety of planted tank substrates, I think the best substrate for planted tank is Caribsea Eco-Complete Planted Black Aquarium Substrate. Substrates for planted tanks need to be rich in nutrients, which this one excels in.
It contains over 25 elements, including potassium, iron, and magnesium. The substrate consists of porous spherical grains for optimum diffusion performance, as well as heterotrophic bacteria. This bacteria helps convert fish waste in planted tanks to plant food.
The only negatives with this substrate for planted tanks is its ability to raise the PH of your water and its low weight. The latter can make it difficult for some plants to stay rooted or anchored.
If Caribsea Eco-Complete doesn’t seem like your best substrate for planted tank, then two other great planted aquarium substrates are Mr Aqua Aquarium Water Plant Soil and ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Substrate Aquarium Soil.
Best on a Budget
Despite being inexpensive, Mr Aqua’s substrates work well in a tank with plants by providing them with a wealth of nutrients. It can purify water stained by driftwood and does not need to be replaced for over 12 months.
However, Mr Aqua’s substrates can be difficult for some plants to root in. Additionally, it can cause cloudy water when first introduced to your tank.
My personal favorite for the best substrate for planted tanks is ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Aquarium Substrate.
Editor’s Choice
The ADA Aqua Amazonia substrate is my personal favorite when it comes to the best substrate for plants. As it’s made from decomposed leaf mulch, it contains a wealth of nutrients necessary for healthy plants. It’s also beneficial for any fish or shrimp present in your tank.
ADA substrates help reduce the PH and water hardness in your tank, while also allowing your plant’s roots to develop properly. My only gripe with ADA’s substrates is that they can water cloudiness. With proper maintenance, this should pass fairly quickly though.
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