please help im still having problems with substrate

onefish2fish

my problems are i havnt purchased any substrate yet, im hesitant. im not sure what brands are worth the $20+ bucks for a small 15lb bag and what ones are wasting my time and money.. i am also wondering if i need to get "plant tabs" along with "substrate" should i go complete substrate or mix it with my already existing gravel? isnt laterite (sp?) what you use to mix into gravel if you want to use your own mix? im really confused with all this substrate business please help.. i also have considered just potting my rooted plants but what soils or substrates do i use for this? could it be something purchase from lets say home depots garden center and rinsed or do i have to go to a LFS for substrate to put into a pot? thanks.

Fat_Fender_40

Get some flourite or eco-complete substrate. Both are really good and you can still add plant tabs if you'd like. Do you have a C02 system?

okiemavis

You can use enriched substrate or root tabs, it's not really necessary to use both. The thing about enriched substrate, is it doesn't stay enriched forever, so at some point you're going to need to start adding your own ferts (in a year or two).

Check this product out, I use their root tabs, and really like them:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/ss.htm