New tank setup ideas for planted guppy tank

[evonner]

I just bought a 29 gallon tank. I plan to have plants and guppies with guppy safe tank mates.  I need substrate ideas. The plants I most lean to are both root and water feeders. My other tank (my first tank in this hobby) has stratum that is capped with gravel. I don't have any experience with sand substrate. I've heard of some cool layering that people have done but can't seem to find that info now. I would really like to hear and see pictures of anyone's ideas.

[Theplatymaster]

I dont recomend sand. Its just harder to grow plants in. I would recommend a standard inert gravel substrate. Its hard to run into issue with that.

[NOLANANO]

I am by no means a professional fish keeper or professional youtuber but I did make a video on setting up my 75G planted tank and starting at about the 2:53 mark on this link I cover layering my substrate. I didn't use any aqua soil but you could easily substitute aqua soil for the gravel I used as my base layer.  I copied this technique from MD fish tanks and the bags help make sure that the gravel don't come to the surface during cleaning.

 

Edited December 6, 2022 by NOLANANO

[PineSong]

Welcome to the wonderful world of planted guppy tanks! 

I use a mix of SuperNaturals "Peace River" gravel and the natural river pebbles sold at the big box pet store. Peace River grain size is larger than sand but smaller than 'typical' tank gravel. The other pebbles are bigger than usual gravel.

I like the natural look of varying sizes of this combo--to me it looks like a real creek or river bottom.  I have plants that grow well; I do use root tabs to improve the substrate for them.

 

 

[Schuyler]

What are your water parameters like?

Most planted tank substrates will impact your water parameters and lower pH and soften your water. That's kinda annoying when you're trying to keep guppies who like water on the harder side

[evonner]

My water is hard and my pH is 8.2 ppm. My tap water is pH 7.2 but it rises from that after a w.c to 8.0 then maxs at 8.2 ppm, nitrates 5.0 ppm, phosphate 1.0 ppm, dGh 12, dKH 9. I have a 10 gallon that has stratum on bottom then its capped with medium sized gravel.  The 10 gallon is over a year old and even in the beginning I fought a higher pH even when the stratum was fresh. 

I am going for the natural habitat look for them. I just bought the 29 gallon, I just look at it and think oh my word. 

[Cinnebuns]

I have a 29 gallon with a male group of guppies. Other tank mates are:  panda cories, hillstream loach, otos, khuli loaches (not sure why tbh lol) mystery snails and nerite snails. Mine is also heavily planted with tons of different types of plants. Stems, swords, crypts, i don't even remember some. 

[evonner]

My 29 gallon tank is 30" wide and 19" high. I decided on Eco complete for my bottom layer if substrate.  I chose this because I will be planting heavy root feeders and water column feeders.

What can I put over the Eco complete? I will have algae eater and various bottom feeders. Cory says not to use anything to small or sharp including sand because it can harm them. He also says that some sand with not be good for plant growth. Then he also says not to use anything too big cuz waste will fall in between.  I'm shooting for a natural Guppy habitat.  Any ideas???

I'm struggling with choosing the right light for the tank because it's so deep. I will be planting low to medium light plants without CO2.  I'm look at some hygger. Any ideas?