How to tell if my aquarium gravel has minerals in it?

Question

I was hoping to get my 60 gallon aquarium planted and I did lots of researching and I learned that most plants need mineral rich gravel. What would be some good plants to put in the tank? I was recommened the Temple Plant and the Amazon Sword by my LFS. The tank has been up for 10 years!!!!

Answer 1

after 10 years, if you haven't replaced or cleaned your gravel, you have so much living down in there you'll support plant life no problem. The thing to watch with plants, is finding the right ones for the PH of your tank. I keep rift valley cichlids which require very high PH so I have to use plants that thrive in that. Other plants like low PH, soft water, hard water, brackish water, you name it. Have your water tested at your lfs (or test your own if you don't mind buying the tests) and find out the right plants for your water conditions. The other thing to watch out for, is plant eating fish! Nothing is worse than inadvertantly finding out that you have a tank full of vegetarians by waking up to a tank full of plant stubs!