MiamiAG

If you have a proper substrate layer, you will din that the substrate solution will have different characteristics than the water column. This is valuable as it makes certain nutrients soluble in the substrate solution but not in the water column. Additionally, nutrients would be held in exchange sites on the substrate particles where plant roots can get to them but not algae.

I high exchange rate with the water column should be detrimental to this as it would bring O2 and impact the solubility of nutrients. In addition, a higher leaching rate would occur potentially leading to higher than normal levels in the water column.

If the above is true, what makes up a good substrate so that there is some interaction but not too much?