Substrates & Fertilisers

Start here for substrates & fertilisers that actually work for planted tanks. This hub covers substrate choices (active soils vs inert sand/gravel), grain size, CEC, buffering, and when to add root tabs. It also explains liquid dosing for macros (NPK) and micros (iron/trace), plus simple schedules for low-tech and CO₂-injected tanks. Use this page to compare options by tank size, plant type, and budget; learn how substrate affects pH/KH and plant rooting; and pick a dosing approach (EI vs lean) without guesswork. When in doubt, start with a forgiving soil or inert base + root tabs and add a balanced liquid fert—then fine-tune from there. We’ll link out to brand comparisons, setup guides, and troubleshooting as those articles go live.