Laterite And Sand

[Sasha]

Ok, here's my idea . . .

I put a thin layer of laterite on the bottom of my 46 gallon, put a plastic grid over it (like something I would find at the hardware store), and put an inch or so of sand over it. Since sand needs to be disturbed every now and then, the grid keeps the laterite on the botton so it doesn't mix completely with the top layer of sand. However, the grid will have holes large enough for the plant roots to get in to the laterite.

Does that sound like a good idea?

 

[George Farmer]

May be a problem if you grow plants with large root structures as they will become entangled with your grid. If and when you remove the plants they will cause a right mess! I have experienced this when I removed two big Amazon swords, they ripped up the entire substrate complete with heater cable!

Should work fine though with most plants. Aim for a total substrate depth of 2" minimum.

 

[Nospherith]

I was thinking that would be a good idea until gf225 posted about root structures. I can only imagine the horror of trying to adjust a scape by moving some cryptocorynes... on second thought, I wouldn't try moving established cryptocorynes.

 

[Alps]

what if you used fine mesh bags, like the ones used to hold filter material, except way larger so that it could cover large parts of your aquarium bottom so u could use 1-4 to cover the entire bottom?
The roots could grow over the bag, but not into them.