Changing From Gravel To Sand, Should I Add A Subtrate?

[Sammy1911]

So tomorrow im stripping my tank down to change from fine gravel to black tahitian moonstone sand - i have earth eaters, tried a sand path but it frequently gets mixed into the gravel so im biting the bullet and making the switch.

I have a low tech planted tank which i would say is about 60% planted i use easycarbo and profito daily combined with jbl clay balls. what im wondering is as im taking it all out should i be adding some kind of base for the plants? i have vallis, swords, crypts, java/anubias... i was thinking of putting aquarium soil in at the bottom, doing the planting and capping with the sand but i do need to put the fish back in the same day... is this possible if i do daily water change to avoid an amonia spike or is there something else i could use? im wondering as alternative, if i could leave some gravel at the bottom given its filled with mulm from over the years...?

My concern is adding soil could kill my fish overnight... but at the same time i want to add something so my plants have the best foundation they can, what would u guys suggest? have u been through this yourself & what did you do?

 

[Tuxyu3]

I am confused as to why you want to? To give the plants extra nutrients?

 

[Baccus]

You could use clay based kitty litter underneath the sand, but almost all of my tanks are sand with only a bit of gravel where the plant is and the plants are growing like crazy.

 

[Tuxyu3]

I personally find sand is better than gravel for plant growth, finer particles but a lot denser.

 

[Sammy1911]

I personally find sand is better than gravel for plant growth, finer particles but a lot denser.

my plants have grown really well in gravel and it was compacting of the sand that concerned me, as the sand wont have any nutients in to start with im concerned my swords/crypts may struggle without the addition..

You could use clay based kitty litter underneath the sand, but almost all of my tanks are sand with only a bit of gravel where the plant is and the plants are growing like crazy.

i was thinking i could use a slotted spoon to take out most of the gravel, leaving behind the "natural" fertiliser. cat litter i just couldnt get my head around using that although i do use jbl clay balls ... just seems too strange if you know i mean

I am confused as to why you want to? To give the plants extra nutrients?

ive found that the swords in particular struggle without some kind of root nutrient. as the sand will be clean going in therefore no fertiliser i suspect i may have a die off which i want to avoid ive had four of them almost a year but they're only 6inch high. i hope that makes sense but maybe im just being a worrier lol

 

[Tuxyu3]

I have swords in my sand-only tank and they are starting to really get going, huge amounts of root growth and quite a few new leaves sprouting but then again i do occasionally dose liquid ferts and have decent lighting so it is obviously down to that as well. The point i am trying to make is that they can do just fine in sand

 

[Sammy1911]

I have swords in my sand-only tank and they are starting to really get going, huge amounts of root growth and quite a few new leaves sprouting but then again i do occasionally dose liquid ferts and have decent lighting so it is obviously down to that as well. The point i am trying to make is that they can do just fine in sand

thats good to know, i have 2 x 30w t8's with reflectors sunglo and aquaglo the other plants grow great just the swords... they use to die off before so its an improvement eh!

 

[thereverendturtle]

You can add fertilizer tabs into the sand near your swords and crypts. I wouldn't leave any mulm behind, as it may end up causing more damage than good. Trapped under the sand, it will become anoxic and create hydrogen sulfide gas. If this escapes into the water column it could kill your fish.

 

[Sammy1911]

So here's the result of all my hard work - wow I didn't realise how long it would take!!!! Definately not doing that again or moving house for that matter lol

Here's the before...

& after...