Quick Question

[iwantmorecash]

Hi
Got some plants yesterday, they are all bunched plants with a weight holding them together.
my substrate is sand.

my question is how do i keep the sand around the plants.
One of the plants is at the front of tank (it looks like grass) i planted it and this morning all the sand around it had gone and the plant was sat on the base of the tank in lrge trench....

Any tips?

Is gravel better?

would sand and gravel work?

THanks!!!

 

[KittyKat]

If you haven't already, take the weights off and anything the plants are packaged in (usually a bit of foam too).

I think sand is better: how deep is your substrate?

Sand and gravel mix also works, but I didn't find that any better and gravel on its own was arguably worse - unless it is fine gravel.

..what fish do you have? I think you will find the culprit there.

And for the moment, just pile up the sand around the base again.. eventually the roots will hold it in better.

 

[Jallen]

As said, take all plants out of the pot, remove the weight and remove all of the rock wool that you can. Just gently take off small bits at a time trying not to damage roots.

I plant them individually as well, when they are in bunches they will get less nutrients from the substrate than if they were more separated.

Depending on what sort of plant it is you will need to plant it differently - If it's a stem plant, just stick the base of the stem in the sand. If it's a crown plant (roots, crown, leaves) just bury the roots, don't bury the crown (the bit where all the leaves come out of).
A picture would be helpful if you want more precise help for planting it.

 

[iwantmorecash]

If you haven't already, take the weights off and anything the plants are packaged in (usually a bit of foam too).

I think sand is better: how deep is your substrate?

Sand and gravel mix also works, but I didn't find that any better and gravel on its own was arguably worse - unless it is fine gravel.

..what fish do you have? I think you will find the culprit there.

And for the moment, just pile up the sand around the base again.. eventually the roots will hold it in better.

Sand is 1 - 3 cm deep, it is diferent over the tank...

I will get some pics of the palnts

 

[KittyKat]

Ah ok! That explains it: most plants foreground plants require around 4-5cm of substrate and background ones need 5-10+cm. Adding more substrate would go a long way to helping you succeed with rooting plants.