Reddit mentions of Fluval Plant Stratum, 4.4-Pound

Thanks for the reply!
I'll look into Java moss, since it seems to be hardy and good for a beginner. I was thinking about buying Fluval Stratum as substrate but since it's pretty expensive I might wait until the summer to make it a planted tank.

Thanks for the thoughts! Couple of questions regarding them though.

Does a small time variance of around an hour of light time make a large difference? Like for example, I work an eight hour shift but go get dinner before coming home from work, so it might be on 8.5 or 9 hours a couple of days a week. Or is the timer mainly for convenience sake?

I had mixed up the three seachem products instructions. I realize now that I was dosing two extra doses of flourish a week instead of the excel. Should I forgo a couple of doses of flourish since it is the fertilizer and just use a tad bit more excel for a couple of days until the algae is gone? My lfs sells these fancy measuring kits with a syringe type thing, eyedropper, and some measured glasses for two bucks, so I got one of those when I first thought about doing the tank. So the measurements were right, just not the correct product. >_< My fault lol.

http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-12690-Plant-Stratum-4-4-Pound/dp/B004H1STY2 This is the type of substrate I am using. Is it not considered a fertilized substrate? I almost picked up root tabs today just in case, but I figured I would ask first.

As for the light, would an outside desk lamp work since I currently have a hood and no slot for another light in the hood?

Last question, What do you think would be a good photoperiod for reducing the algae? I have read to leave the light off completely, but I dont think I would want to do that to the plants.