What would be the best substrate if you were going to set up a tank with some live freshwater plants in it? Is there anything that would have to be added to the substrate to keep them alive (like chemicals or vitamins)?
I have Fluorite under my gravel which is a substrate with extra iron and minerals for plants. There are fertilizer pills you can put into the substrate as well. I used to do that but stopped because most of my plants died since I don't have carbon dioxide injection and perhaps not enough light. Liquid plant supplements can also be added but really only effect floating plants and plants with exposed roots. If you have enough fish, there should be enough basic plant food so you really only need to add iron supplements and maybe potassium.
Here is a link to some plant substrates:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F3...e/Shopay00.aspxHere is a link to some plant supplements:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F6...s/Shopay00.aspx Oh thanks. It was just that I didnt know why but my plants dont look so good. We got them a week or so ago and we have them in the tank with the light and they have sand for their roots to grow. I also added Flora24 every day (it came in the test kit) but for some reason, the plants just have wierd reactions. some of them seem to still be doing ok for the most part, others however, are turning brown in some areas. In others, the leaves have become transparent (I'm not sure how to describe it.... you can see the "leaf" with the viens and everything but there just isnt green. its clear) Is this harmful to the aquarium? I'm not sure if i should just remove the brown and transparent leaves or the entire plants.
Some plants do well in one tank and poorly in another. There are many variables. Perhaps the ones that are dying require more intense lighting than you have which is most likely. Stick with the plants that seem to grow well in your tank, get more of them. You can remove yellowing or browning leaves. Don't take out the entire plant unless you're sure it's dead. The decomposing plants will add waste load to the tank. A few leaves won't make a big difference but if there's a lot of dead plants, it can foul the water and lower the oxygen levels among other things. So, remove dead parts as needed.