Laterite is a type of soil which is rich in aluminium and iron.
Laterite is mainly red in color because of the presence of iron oxides.Weathering in tropical areas leaches out nutrients from this soil making it rich in only iron and aluminium.
Laterite in the Planted Tank:
In India, Laterite can be found all across the Western Ghats,mainly in the Konkan Region,and down to Karnataka.
Laterite is used in aquariums because it releases iron over time and has a good CEC(Cation Exchange Capacity),which is the ability to attract nutrients together and release them over time to the plant root system.
In the above pictures,the substrate is Laterite Gravel.
Laterite also binds the phosphates from fish food and also releases
it to the plants over time.
Laterite greatly benefits heavy root feeders such as species of
Echinodorus and Cryptocoryne.Laterite by itself will only provide iron to the plants.It is the CEC of laterite which makes it a very useful substrate in the planted aquarium.
Laterite also binds the phosphates from fish food and also releases
it to the plants over time.
Laterite greatly benefits heavy root feeders such as species of
Echinodorus and Cryptocoryne.Laterite by itself will only provide iron to the plants.It is the CEC of laterite which makes it a very useful substrate in the planted aquarium.
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