which will work best if different at all

[alan_uk]

hi all

i am currently in the dilemma over substrate in my tank

i am wanting to keep it low tech with no co2 or ferts but am looking to have good substrate and lighting hopefully

i am looking at 2 48" t5ho 6500k daylight white bulbs

and either akadama or tesco kitty litter
either of the substrates above will have a layer of peat below them and i may add additional root tabs also

plants im going to keep are

java fern needle,normal
anubias nana
amazon sword
crypt wendtii green/brown
crypt balansea (possibly)
vallis
wisteria
rotala roundfolia
ludwigia repens
weeping moss
hornwort

and maye
styrogene
lilliapolis brassilianis i think its called for the front

tank is 72"x18" footprint and really dont want to have to pay for soil as florabase columbo brown would be my no1 choice but is just a little too expensive as im trying to keep the tank low tech anyways

as said im wanting to not use ferts or co2 if i can help

so apart from the kittly litter being a peachy colour compared to the akadama is there any other benefits of the akadama over the kitty litter

and does anyone know of a kitty litter that is a darker brown than the tesco stuff that is kind of pinky

thank you for any help

i worked out i would need 40litres of substrate for a 5cm deep covering