Good substrate for kuhlis and plants

[monkeyfish]

Hello everyone. Im setting up a new 90 gallon after years away from the hobby. I just can't decide on the right substrate. Was going to do a mineralized topsoil capped with pool filter sand. Great substrate for plants, maybe not so great for kuhlis? Not going to be heavily planted, but planted enough. Can i get away with a sand only section of tank in the front/side, and MTS capped with 3-4 inches of sand along the back/other side? If not, can someone recommend a good substrate (that doesn't cost an arm and leg) that will please my plants and kuhlis? I will be providing plenty of hiding places, driftwood, etc.

[Diana]

Mineralized soil is fine for them, but do not cap it with "3-4" of sand".
If you want sand a 1" cap is OK. More is inviting anaerobic issues.
A separate sand area sounds like a good ides, but my Brochis splendens and Yoyo Loaches never used it. They play in the Turface.

Turface, Soil Master Select and related products are great for Loaches and plants, and no cap is needed.

[monkeyfish]

Ok, great. Thanks for the reply. I will be going with MTS for the long run. I thought about the turface as I can get it fairly easy and cheap, but i'm just not crazy about the color. Can't wait to get this thing up and running, and established, so I can add the fish that were always my favorite. It's going to be hard not picking them up at the start, but I'm going to do this thing right.