Due to the growth of the planted aquarium hobby, a lot of new substrate products are being introduced one after another. With the many choices of substrates available out on the market that focuses on the growth of aquarium plants, how do you decide which one is right for you? Given the option to choose what substrate you want to use, some enthusiasts avoid new products and rather stick with what has worked for them, where as some others prefer to experiment with new products. Having the option, carefully choosing the right planted aquarium substrate is an important decision and will have an effect on the growth and quality of your plants as well as your water. I will only highlight some of the most commonly used substrates that have been used by many planted aquarium enthusiasts.

Before taking a look at what kind of options there are available, I would like to point out a few key important things to keep in mind such as budget, type of plants, grain size, and availability. Continue reading →