moving from gravel to sand

[Grim Reaper]

thank you all 4 the help and i'll keep up posted

 

[Coral platy]

Do you have plants? (live)
If so keep away from sand. The roots on the plants dont grow well in sandy conditions.

James

Not true...

Plants grow in sand in nature, don't they?

Yes But the sand does something to the roots on the plants. Dont they? I am not arguing. Just something my lfs told me today. Any newz on this and i am going to get sand for my rio 180.

James

HOW DARE YOU CONTRADICT ME!!!!
























j/k. Don't worry, we're just having a civilised conversation. What do you mean sand does something to roots? Damage the roots you mean? Can you elaborate, because I've never heard of this before. I think your best bet would be to PM one of the Plants forum regulars like Lateral or Konrad, they should know better than me. All I know is that sand is A-OK to be used in planted tanks, apart from that, I have no experience with sand as my tanks are all gravel substrate.

I dont know it is just something i heard from my lfs. He gets Plants,fish ect from the wild so i thought he would be right.
He said that sand does damage the roots and the roots dont spread well under sand.
Sorry if i am wrong.

James

 

[charmd2]

James, I don't think you need to apoligize, Everyone is still learning here. I also have a planted sand tank and it is doing just fine. Theoretically, sand compacts around the roots of the plant, so it is just a harder substrate than gravel. But my plants have a decent root system. lots of hair roots. Both work though.

 

[ddm18]

charmd2's absolutely right - no need to apologise. Looking back at my post it seemed a bit like I was calling you an idiot - not what I intended at all, I hope that's not how you took it. Sorry!

Damned lack of intonation/feeling in text! I wish I was capable of using smilies properly, but somehow I just don't get them.