Planting Medium

I have started a plant tank. I have 2 CO2 injectors. The plants are healthy, but haven't grown alot yet. I'm not upset. I've only had it set up for a few weeks. I know I have to be patient.
I have large gravel on the bottom & have read that this is not a great growing medium for plants.
I am not anxious to break down my tank to change the medium. Is it really necessary ?
Also, how important is plant fertilizer ? I've been reading about it & am afraid I may get too much iron in my water.
Thanks.

 

With planted tanks it will take a good 6 month maybe a yr to get them to settle in and look natural.. Thats with lots of Light and TLC.. Now as for the gravel ? I always tried to use a natural media . Also you can put the plats in a little pot and use moss and sand or vermiculite and bury the pot with the roots beneath the gravel ..

 

So, will my system work or should I begin again?

 

If you used Large Gravel ?? It may but thats a vauge term really I usually always just used small natural gravel and sand .. You say large gravel ?? large Like ??? Or a rock that you may find on a driveway or road shoulder ? Did you get a size number on it

 

It is not huge. I don't have a number, but I'm sure it is that small natural gravel that you are talking about.