Planting Substrate and Soil

Planting substrate and soil help and advice

Grow your own aquatic garden

If you decide that you want your aquarium to be au-natural, then planting substrate is necessary to grow real live plants at the bottom of your fish tank. We sell a

What is planting substrate and soil?

Planting substrate and soil is a specially formulated mixture of beneficial elements that are designed to promote the growth of aquarium plants without creating cloudy water or rapid algae growth. Each formula includes chemicals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphur to help encourage a beautiful and thriving aquarium that is full of life and can become a real feature in your home.

Why should I buy planting substrate and soil?

While artificial and silk plants look good, nothing beats the look of real aquarium plants. Aquarium plants can oxygenate water and even produce beneficial minerals to help fish thrive. However, aquatic plants rely on a particular mixture of minerals to grow and so the only way to ensure healthy growth without creating dirty water or lots of algae is with planting substrate and soil.

What are the main types of planting substrate and soil?

We offer a range of different substrate and soil types at Swell, each with its own benefits. The key is to know the type of tank you're creating and the plants you intend to put in it. Depending on your plans, you might need a thicker soil or a lighter sand, and you may even have the option to choose between both types to get the finish you desire.

What should I look for?

Make a list of the plants you want to include in your tank and research the requirements each has, you may find that you need to choose between plants as some have conflicting needs. Once you know what your plants need, you can focus on finding the correct substrate offering the right combination of minerals. You may also find that once your substrate and plants are installed your water needs to be enriched with CO2 or treated to offset the chemicals within the water.