Sand and Live Plants

[Iron Man]

I've kept sand in an aquarium before and I got pretty good at vacuuming up the poop that can sit on top....but that was with plastic plants. I was wondering when I get live plants and sand am I going to have to still get the poop up around those plants or just let it sit on top around the plants? Is it doing any good there I guess is what I'm asking.

 

[freddyk]

I'd recommend vacuuming it up and fertilizing the sand yourself - decaying poop may add nutrients good for plants, but it pollutes the water too.

 

[Iron Man]

OK makes sense...thanks!

 

[Dubby]

If you have the chance to start from scratch, I would recommend you add a layer of soil/ flourite or equivalent material to hold the fertiliser before you top it with a layer of sand. This will give your live plants a head start.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

thats a good idea of dubbys that makes the plants grow a whole lot better

 

[Annastasia]

If you have the chance to start from scratch, I would recommend you add a layer of soil/ flourite or equivalent material to hold the fertiliser before you top it with a layer of sand. This will give your live plants a head start.

Yep, this is a good idea. It's really helped my planted tanks. But, you have to be sure to wash it really really really well! I learned that the hard way.

 

[Iron Man]

It would probably be better for the plants in the beginning to use some plant substrate but I'm just going to go with sand right now. Down the road I'm going to use fertilizer/additives/CO2.

 

[nc_nutcase]

I am using a black sand'ish substrate that I found at Pet Smart. The bag says it is designed specially for plants. It is a new set up so it hasn't survived the tests of time but thus far it seems to be working great (plants growing wonderfully and not rarely getting uprooted). You may want to consider something like that just for around the plants and pool filter sand (or whatever you choose) where there aren't plants.

 

[LoachLover]

Just vaccum up around the plants, it's not that big of a deal to do.

 

[Opcn]

I would deffinitly recomend two substrates, the sand doesnt provide a very good matrix for plant growth but its great for the fish. IME anyways

 

[LoachLover]

What you can do is put a layer of flourite and then put a layer of sand. That's what I did, but after I moved I had to mix it all together

 

[Iron Man]

I've already taken out the gravel and put in the sand....did that yesterday. I also just bought a couple of cabomba plants and 10 zebra danios to cycle the tank. Down the road I will fertilize the plants with some sticks and/or additives and CO2. I already have good lighting for them.

Thanks for all the help anyway though.

 

[LoachLover]

Well they should do ok in the sand. I've seen some really awesome looking planted tanks that had sand for a substrate.