Aerating Substrate

[A creature void of form]

My substrate is very fine Silica Sand, about 2.5" thick. I understand I will need to disturb the sand from time to time to relesase toxic gases that will build up. I have a few questions:

1) How often need I do this?
2) Do I need to dig up the planted areas of my tank, or will the roots naturally aerate these areas? What about cuttings - will they have enough leverage in the substrate to disturb it enough?
3) Is a loach or other bottom dweller sufficent to aerate the substrate?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ashleybrown2]

anything that forages in the substrate is enough to aerate it, as far as i recall, if you have it less than 2 inches deep, its very uncommon to get a buildup of gases, so you could have an inch of soil and 1.5 inches of sand on top if thats an option for you.

Cheers
Ash

 

[A creature void of form]

anything that forages in the substrate is enough to aerate it, as far as i recall, if you have it less than 2 inches deep, its very uncommon to get a buildup of gases, so you could have an inch of soil and 1.5 inches of sand on top if thats an option for you.

Cheers
Ash

Thank you for the reply, I may try and take .5" off my substrate layer.