im using pool filter sand as substrate in my new tank wich will be lightly planted with java fern, and amazon swords. how deep should the sand be for the swords to properly root and does anyone have any sugestions on other low to medium light plants to use its a 58 gallon
how thick does sand substrate need to be
- Thread starter joedodge
- Start date
Just remember the thicker the substrate the more likely you are to get anerobic bacteria(bad)
Sand should never be more than 2" thick in areas you can not vacume and under unmovable ornaments.
Sand should never be more than 2" thick in areas you can not vacume and under unmovable ornaments.
I keep my sand about an inch deep and where i plant i tend to border with rocks/wood and make a slightly deeper area . Used to have much deeper but found it much hareder to clean tank as loads of rubbish would be distured continuously
joedodge;3445869; said:
how deep is the tank....its shape
and yes should be at least 2'' or even more as swords thrive on deeper substances- I have a friend that does them in pots- I don't do it with mine however my sand is 2''-5'' in some places in few tanks- just gotta be careful as some parts tend to go bad- I noticed the smaller the grain of the sand is the more likely it'll happen however the larger grain the less occurence thats from my experience.
AND if you're worried about those toxic air pockets - get MTS if you don't mind snails they keep the sand free of those due to their burrowing...
i would go 3-4 inch in back with the sword. 2-3 inch is standard but swords have large root system. i had one where it was at 2 inch and it popped its self out of the gravel.
i agree with proteus. get some mts to make it up a little and you can always use chop sticks to poke around to keep gas pockets from forming.
i agree with proteus. get some mts to make it up a little and you can always use chop sticks to poke around to keep gas pockets from forming.
my sand is maybe 2 inches with my swords. really plants aren't that picky. the plants roots will go down as deep as they can then just spread out.
since your using pool sand you can gravel vac that i think. so im guessing the risk of anerobic zones is probably less if you vacuum it.
since your using pool sand you can gravel vac that i think. so im guessing the risk of anerobic zones is probably less if you vacuum it.