New Aquarium

[DR J]

Thank you, starting a new aquarium and new to hobby 20 gallon and want to start live plants and fish. I purchased marble chips (inexpensive) can I use this at all or as the only substrate or can I use this with an underling substrate like eco-complete Ultum controsoil or other any suggestions are appreciated respectfully 

[Fish Folk]

I recommend investing in a good plant substrate. My favorite is Activ-Flora, black. But other colors are fine. Eco-Complete is excellent. Both brands are rather expensive. If you’re willing to be patient, you could use an inch of coarse black diamond blasting sand (will need to be washed out in a bucket for hours until no dust remains), push in a bunch of root tabs, then _cap_ with another inch or more of expensive planted substrate. That works as long as black is Ok.

The marble chips aren’t really designed to be helpful. They might keep your pH elevated too.

[_Eric_]

I have never done marble chips, but I wouldn't use it unless you were intentionally trying to raise your PH. That aside, you can use substrate without any nutrients in a planted tank if you use root tabs.  I've had great results with Aquarium Co-op's root tabs with sand in my son's 29 gal.  

However, if you don't mind the upfront cost for a couple of ~20-pound bags of quality substrate, that is the way to go.  I'd go with one of Fish Folk's recommendations.  I haven't used either, but the one's I have experience with are more expensive and Fish Folk's tanks always look amazing.  A quality substrate might be cheaper over the long haul as those nutrients could last for a few years and root tabs need to be added in every month or two. Also be aware that some (not all) plant substrates put ammonia in the water right at first so you will want to make sure that cycles out before adding fish.  Plants aren't a problem though.

[DR J]

Thank you so much and for such a rapid response I will follow your advice