It’s great to see the popularity of keeping planted tanks increasing with more and more people within the aquarium keeping hobby starting to add plants to their general tank or actually try their hand at aquascaping.
Over the last year or so, aquascaping has become extremely popular within the hobby due to a number of videos and photographs going viral on social media and we doubt this the growth in keeping plants in your tanks is going to slow any time soon.
With so many people being on a budget when it comes to their tanks, we have noticed more and more people asking for advice on using a cheap substrate for their planted tank.
Due to this, we wanted to publish this article going over the topic to try and help as many of our readers as possible better identify the potential advantages and disadvantages of using a cheap substrate in their tank.
What to Look For In A Cheap Substrate For Planted A Tank!
When you are looking for a cheap substrate for your planted tank, it is important to try and find one that is going to offer as many benefits as possible without breaking the bank.
There are a number of different things that you should look for in a substrate before making your final decision on which one to buy.
One of the most important things to look for is how dense the substrate is as a denser substrate is going to be better at holding plant roots in place which, in turn, is going to lead to your plants having an easier time growing.
The actual nutritional value of the cheap substrate is extremley important for a planted tank as a lack of nutrients will cause issues with the growth rate of the plants in your tank.
You are able to off-set this by using a fertilizer product in your tank but this can pump the overall costs of your tank up so it is usually better to spend a little extra to get a cheap substrate that contains nutrients already.
Another important thing that you should look for is the color of the substrate as this is going to have a big impact on the overall look of your tank.
For example, if you are looking to create a natural-looking planted tank then you should try and find a substrate that is going to be dark in color such as black or brown.
If you are looking for a substrate that is going to help make your plants stand out more, then you should look for one that is going to be lighter in color such as white or light gray.
The last thing that you should look for is the price of the substrate as, obviously, you are looking for a cheap substrate so you don’t want to spend too much money on it.
With all of that being said, let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the best cheap substrates for planted tanks that are currently available on the market.
The Best Cheap Substrates For Planted Tanks!
One of the best cheap substrates for planted tanks that is currently available on the market is the Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum.
This substrate is ideal for those looking to create a natural-looking planted tank as it is a dark substrate that is made up of a blend of clay and volcanic ash.
The Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is packed full of nutrients that are essential for the growth of plants which makes it ideal for those looking to create a low tech planted tank.
This substrate is also extremely dense which makes it ideal for holding plant roots in place and promoting healthy growth.
The only downside to this substrate is that it is a little more expensive than some of the other substrates on this list but, overall, it offers great value for money.
If you are looking for an even cheaper substrate then you should consider the Aqua soil Amazonia from ADA.
This is one of the most popular substrates on the market and is used by a lot of professional aquascapers due to its low price and high-quality.
The Aqua soil Amazonia is made up of a variety of different ingredients such as laterite, peat moss, and iron which makes it ideal for promoting plant growth.
This substrate is also extremely dense which makes it great for holding plant roots in place and preventing them from floating to the surface of the tank.
The only downside to this substrate is that it can be a little difficult to find as it is not stocked by all retailers.
Can You Make Your Own Cheap Substrate For A Planted Tank?
If you are looking for an even cheaper option then you could always try and make your own substrate for a planted tank.
There are a number of different recipes that you can use to make your own substrate but, overall, it is going to be cheaper than buying a commercial substrate.
One of the most popular recipes for making your own substrate is to mix together 1 part peat moss, 1 part perlite, and 1 part vermiculite.
This substrate is ideal for those looking to create a low tech planted tank as it is packed full of nutrients that are essential for plant growth.
Another popular recipe for making your own substrate is to mix together 2 parts peat moss, 1 part perlite, and 1 part vermiculite.
This substrate is ideal for those looking to create a high tech planted tank as it is packed full of nutrients that are essential for plant growth.
The only downside to making your own substrate is that it can be a little time-consuming and you may not have all of the ingredients that you need.
Overall, there are a number of different substrates that you can use for a planted tank and it really depends on your budget as to which one you choose.
If you are looking for a cheap substrate then you should consider the Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum or the Aqua soil Amazonia from ADA.
What Are The Dangers Of Using A Cheap Substrate For A Planted Tank!
There are a few dangers that you should be aware of before using a cheap substrate for your planted tank.
One of the biggest dangers is that some of the cheaper substrates on the market can contain high levels of toxins and chemicals that can be harmful to both plants and animals.
It is always important to do your research before buying a substrate to make sure that it is safe to use in your tank.
Another danger of using a cheap substrate is that they can often be made up of inferior materials that can break down and release toxins into the water.
This can cause issues with the growth of the plants in your tank as well as potentially harming the fish and other animals that you have in your tank.
It is important to make sure that you buy a substrate that is made up of high-quality materials to avoid this issue.
Overall, there are a few dangers that you should be aware of before using a cheap substrate for your planted tank but, as long as you do your research, these dangers can be avoided.
