Sub-substrate For New Sand Tank

[moon]

Hello,

I have a 180L tank that I want to create a planted fishy paradise in

I want to use sand as the substrate, but I've heard that I should have something under the sand for the plants.

Could someone please recommend some sub-substrate, the correct techy term for it and an online UK supplier?

Cheers
Moon

 

[consp]

Sand is far to compact for plants to root properly in. Ideally if you want plants you should have a few layers of varied densities. A perfect selection of substrate would be Sand at the bottom, aquatic compost centrally and a layer of pea gravel on top. This resembles the natural environment for the plants closer than a single substrate.

To make your plants grow faster and healthier you can add fertalizer to the compost too.

Hope this helps

 

[moon]

Sand is far to compact for plants to root properly in. Ideally if you want plants you should have a few layers of varied densities. A perfect selection of substrate would be Sand at the bottom, aquatic compost centrally and a layer of pea gravel on top. This resembles the natural environment for the plants closer than a single substrate.

To make your plants grow faster and healthier you can add fertalizer to the compost too.

Hope this helps

Thanks C.

Ahhh "Aquatic compost" are the magic words... are these ones for ponds suitable?
http/www.gardenhealth.com/product_range/...ist/aquatic.php
http/www.tetra-fish.co.uk/tetrapond/prod...p?productID=235

I actually chose sand for aesthetic reasons so I want it on top (ok ok I'm shallow ). Will compost then sand be OK? How deep of each?

Many thanks,
Moon

 

[Clairel]

I just have sand in my vision 180, the plants love it, so do the fish, especially my clown loaches and bronze corys lol

C x

 

[modernhamlet]

The main problem with sand and planted tanks isn't rooting (which can be a complication), but nutrients. Sand is completely neutral and doesn't provide anything to roots. If you keep any plants that need a rich subtrate, I would encourage you to put down a thin layer of peat or mulm before adding your sand. You might also consider using substrate fertilizer spikes if you're keeping swords or other heavy root feeders.

Good luck!

 

[moon]

I just have sand in my vision 180, the plants love it, so do the fish, especially my clown loaches and bronze corys lol

C x

Thanks Claire. Sorry to hear about your tank. No casualties I trust?

I've heard nasty rumours about anaerobic bacteria in sand - how do you avoid this?

 

[moon]

The main problem with sand and planted tanks isn't rooting (which can be a complication), but nutrients. Sand is completely neutral and doesn't provide anything to roots. If you keep any plants that need a rich subtrate, I would encourage you to put down a thin layer of peat or mulm before adding your sand. You might also consider using substrate fertilizer spikes if you're keeping swords or other heavy root feeders.

Good luck!

When you say "peat" can I use one of the aquatic composts linked in my post above? I'm learning a new word with every post (mulm!!).

 

[The-Wolf]

this topic may help you
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

Personally I use pool filter sand as it has a more uniformed grain size and dosn't compact down like others can.

 

[kris-b-]

To avoid anaerobic bacteria make sure your stir up the sand with your finger once a week. I'm getting some Malaysian Trumpet Snails for my new tank with sand in as these burrow into the sand during the day and come out at night, aerating the sand!
I was told that if I get an explosion in the population to just remove some and not feed as much!

 

[moon]

this topic may help you
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

Personally I use pool filter sand as it has a more uniformed grain size and dosn't compact down like others can.

Doh. The more I read the more I realise how little I know.
Where do you get your pool filter sand?

 

[osteoporoosi]

Natural clay does miracles under the sand, but as mentioned, the sand must be stirred properly once in a while.

 

[rdd1952]

There is one major problem with putting sand over another coarser substrate. Sand, being finer, will eventually settle into the crevices of the coarse substrate and your top layer will no longer be sand but gravel. I have already experienced it in my 75 gallon. I had about 1.5" of Eco Complete on the bottom and 3/4" of Tahitian Moon Sand on top. I set it up in March and the sand has almost competely migrated down so that my top layer is now the EC.

 

[modernhamlet]

When you say "peat" can I use one of the aquatic composts linked in my post above? I'm learning a new word with every post (mulm!!).

Haven't seen those before, but they look like they might be useful. You might want to ask that level of question in the Planted Forum though. Maybe someone there has experience with those two products.

Mulm: You know how rinsing out your sponge filters turns the water in a bucket really gross? Let that water settle, pour off the excess water and the leftover sludge (fish poop, food and plant detrius) is mulm. It's fantastic fertilizer. I use it on my houseplants as well.

 

[The-Wolf]

any swimming pool supplier/shop will sell it.

 

[rdd1952]

To avoid anaerobic bacteria make sure your stir up the sand with your finger once a week. I'm getting some Malaysian Trumpet Snails for my new tank with sand in as these burrow into the sand during the day and come out at night, aerating the sand!
I was told that if I get an explosion in the population to just remove some and not feed as much!

The part about removing some and not feeding as much is easier said than done. I just went through this and had to completely change the sand. It's hard to remove snails that are almost too small to see (maybe 1/8" long). Mine were so bad, I could take my 3" fish net, scoop up a net full of sand, shake it out and have 25 to 50 tiny snails in it. Now multiply that by the number of scoops you can make in a big tank and you have a MAJOR problem. By the time you realize you have a problem, cutting back on the food supply doesn't do a lot of good. You would basically have to cut to feeding only once every 4 or 5 days for a several months to starve them off as they can also get food from plants in the tank.