Sand for planted aquarium?

[KuhliDude]

I have 75 gallon aquarium with a sand only substrate and currently no live plants, and was wondering if rooted plants could do well in that. I am planning on getting some jungle val, ludwigia and perhaps a tiger lotus.

 

[sharkweek178]

Sure. Just use some good root tabs.

 

[KuhliDude]

Okay

 

[KuhliDude]

Does my sand substrate have to be very deep?

 

[Rocky998]

This is my tiger lotus. Was only a bulb when I got it a few weeks ago and it's in sand substrate.

 

[Rocky998]

Does my sand substrate have to be very deep?

Depends on plants, but generally you'd want a substrate depth on 2-3 inches (definitely 3 if you have heavy root feeders like swords)

 

[Uberhoust]

Personally I find with sand I like the substrate a bit deeper. I strive for 2.5 inches in the front but closer to 5 inches in the back when there is 18" between the front and back. Waste that is not caught by the prefilter tends to accumulate in the front where it is easy to remove if you have a lot of plants or decorations.