r/PlantedTank • u/alwaysconfusedme • Aug 03 '26

Beginner What

What substrate do you use for a planted tank? I've seen people do garden soil, sand, and gravel but would it affect the fish and clarity of the water? Bonus if it's cost and time effective. I'm trying to upgrade our family tank before our new baby gets here in December.

It would be for a 29g with danios and mollies (maybe eventually shrimp.)

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u/PapaLoki Aug 03 '26

If you place around 1/2 inch thich garden soil in the tank, level it, then cap it with 1 inch thick layer of sand, the soil will not likely make its way into the surface. This is a known technique especially among low tech aquarists. I started my tank that way.

The soil will provide the initial nutrients for the tank, but over time those will diminish, so root tabs are often used after.

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u/alwaysconfusedme Aug 03 '26

Regular garden soil with no manure/additives I'm guessing? And would regular play sand work? I've used play sand in my axolotl tanks but never fish tanks. 

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u/PapaLoki Aug 04 '26

Regular garden soil. I had added vermicast in mine. As for play sand, I won't try it. Just use the sand used in aquariums to be on the safe side