can plants grow in fine sand?

[UnityLover]

Ive heard plants cant grow in sand. My only root feeder will be aponogeton, everything else is a leaf feeder.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

And this is why you should never believe things you hear without any evidence to substantiate them.
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=planted+aquariums+using+sand&atb=v327-1&iax=images&ia=images

 

[Lcc86]

From the looks of my aquarium, I'd say yes! Some don't, that's true, but you shouldn't have a problem provided the sand is deep enough and you use fertiliser in some form.

If you buy aponogeton in bulb form you don't even have to bury it and it will grow.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Yes, you can grow plants in sand. With heavy root feeders like swords, you can add some root tabs. Otherwise don't worry about it.

 

[UnityLover]

Good, because ill only have aponogeton, but I might get cryptocoryne too. Ill put root tabs under the plants that need it, then I add liquid fertilizer for the leaf feeders.

 

[Colin_T]

Plants grow in sand in the wild so should in aquariums too

Aponogetons need lots of nutrients so give them a couple of root tabs and liquid fertiliser in the water.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Just my two cents.....
Although plants may do okay in fine sand, I tend to believe that roots have an easier time in slightly coarse sand or gravel. Coarse sand is also more permeable better ensuring against anaerobic regions.
Remember not to stir the sand! Disturbing sand may trap detritus down under to create a foul mess.

 

[anewbie]

Just my two cents.....
Although plants may do okay in fine sand, I tend to believe that roots have an easier time in slightly coarse sand or gravel. Coarse sand is also more permeable better ensuring against anaerobic regions.
Remember not to stir the sand! Disturbing sand may trap detritus down under to create a foul mess.

Trumpet snails to the rescue.

 

[Byron]

One has to be careful with any substrate, but I think that overall sand is the best for an aquarium. I had far worse anaerobic patches with my fine gravel than I ever did with sand, though admittedly I did not go poking around in it. Plants rooted in the sand do release oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis, and it is released through the roots primarily. The pearling of oxygen from leaves occurs under extreme CO2, not normally. Snails, definitely help as mentioned. And fish are definitely safe with soft sand.

 

[UnityLover]

Just my two cents.....
Although plants may do okay in fine sand, I tend to believe that roots have an easier time in slightly coarse sand or gravel. Coarse sand is also more permeable better ensuring against anaerobic regions.
Remember not to stir the sand! Disturbing sand may trap detritus down under to create a foul mess.

i need sand to be small enough for pygmy corys or kuhli loaches, so they can sift the sand through their gills. im thinking caribsea super naturals.

 

[Colin_T]

Use play sand for a kid's playground, available from a hardware store. It's cheap and works.

 

[UnityLover]

Use play sand for a kid's playground, available from a hardware store. It's cheap and works.

But there is too much to use, I need to use it all.

 

[Colin_T]

What do you mean there's too much to use?
Too much of what to use?

 

[UnityLover]

What do you mean there's too much to use?
Too much of what to use?

Play sand. Its only cheaper when bought as 50 pounds. I cant store all that, nor will it be easy to carry.

 

[Boundava]

I have not had any issues growing plants in sand.

As for the extra sand. Just spread it in your grass or garden, no need to store it.