I like to put just enough water in the bottom to cover the bottom glass before adding the soil. Allow the soil to absorb and become mud. Add more water if needed. Once it’s a good thick mud pie mud but not runny place the screen over it and tuck the screen down the sides. You can even leave a space along the sides and front glass to fill with sand to help hide the dirt and screen. Rinse the sand really well as it will cloud the water otherwise. Add between 2-3in of sand.
Add water slowly enough that you don’t disturb the sand to my hand only until the sand is submerged. Now, trim the roots on all your plants, so that the roots are 2in ish. This makes them easier to plant and initiates new root growth. Plant how you like. I plant taller growing where I think they fit and I will mix stem plants into stands of rooted plants too. If you have stands of crypts/swords with long spear shaped leaves mix in some dwarf sag to mix up shapes and colors.
If you are intent on going this route though make sure you add all the plants now so they use up the excess nutrients.
Add water slowly enough that you don’t disturb the sand to my hand only until the sand is submerged. Now, trim the roots on all your plants, so that the roots are 2in ish. This makes them easier to plant and initiates new root growth. Plant how you like. I plant taller growing where I think they fit and I will mix stem plants into stands of rooted plants too. If you have stands of crypts/swords with long spear shaped leaves mix in some dwarf sag to mix up shapes and colors.
If you are intent on going this route though make sure you add all the plants now so they use up the excess nutrients.
