The Best Substrate For A Planted Tank? The Answer Might Surprise You

For the past year, I ran a real-world planted tank experiment testing different substrates and fertilizer methods to see what actually matters when it comes to growing healthy aquarium plants.

I tested:
• Gravel
• Sand
• Dirt
• Sand & gravel mixes

And paired them with:
• No fertilizer
• Liquid fertilizer only
• Root tabs only
• Liquid fertilizer + root tabs

I documented how each tank looked at the beginning and after a full year of growth — no resets, no shortcuts, no cherry-picked results.

What I found might surprise you:
👉 You can grow plants in any substrate.
👉 There is no single “best” planted tank substrate.
👉 Success comes down to understanding your setup, your goals, and how you want to keep aquariums.

For me, gravel ended up working the best — not because it’s magical, but because it fit how I run my tanks.

This video isn’t about pushing a product or telling you you’re doing it wrong.
It’s about showing real results and helping you find what works for you.

If you’re tired of substrate debates and conflicting advice, this one’s for you.

#aquarium
#plantedtank
#freshwateraquarium
#naturalaquarium
#aquascape
#plantedaquarium
#fishtank