RCS Substrate

[jameson_uk]

My current tank is running at
10/12 GH
4/5 KH
7.4 pH

Just about to setup my new 30cm cube for RCS but not sure what substrate I should go for.

As far as I can tell most shrimp substrate makes the water softer and lowers pH which is necessary for CRS and others but potentially not RCS?

Planting is probably going to be mainly moss, Java fern and some stems (looking at limnophila sessiflora) so nothing to demanding or deep rooting.

If I rule of shrimp substrate as unnecessary should I consider plant substrate?
Given the suggested planting is it worth it or should I just stick to plain old small gravel?

What sort of maintenance does plant substrate need? I have read various things that a lot will need RO water to keep them going, might need replacing every so often and can leech ammonia and others like to the water?

 

[shrimpy1]

I use black gravel for all of my neo tanks and shrimp king for caridina. This has worked for me, and have good colonies of red, blue and yellow neos and crystal black, crystal red blue bolt and yellow king kong (plus some tigers)

Shrimp king substrate doesn't leech ammonia and can be stocked immediately (i do).

I don't use root plants, but use stems (mainly cast offs from display tanks) plus moss tied to wood, alfagrog or mesh and buce tied to wood or alfagrog. I also have lots of surface plants such as amazon frogbit, water lettuce and duckweed in all tanks.

Some people say leave the substrate alone - others say syphon debris. I leave active soil alone but occasionally syphon gravel substrate.