Normal? or potential problem.

[nfored]

I am growing Pothos in my tank, they seem to be doing well and I have not signs of an ammonia spike. However I have twice now noticed that the sand under the pothos is gray and dead looking. Last time I noticed it all the roots where dead from the original plant so I vacuumed out all the gross sand. This time I was surprised to see the grey sand, I noticed it by mistaken when I was replanting on of the pothos I knocked out.

Should I care about this dead sand? and pull all the stems out the sand? I just like they way the look coming out of the sand like strands of kelp. Or is it okay is the decaying matter just feeding the plant.

 

[JC_P]

The decaying plant matter trapped under the sand could start to create, & trap harmful gases which would later affect your fish.

BTW - Isn't Pothos a terrestrial plant?!

 

[aclockworkorange]

Pothos shouldn't be planted in sand... In an aquarium you just put it near the top of the tank so the leaves are out of the water and the roots are dangling in the water. They get nutrients out of the water column, no need for sand or anything.

 

[nfored]

Yes it is, but it will grow in the tank, these are 6' long so there is a good chunk of them outside the tank. So what happens with planted tanks? doesn't this happen with planted tanks also? or is it happening only with this plant because this plant will only root when free floating in water and wont root under the sand?

Edit: saw aclockworkorange's response after I posted. I guess I will have to take them out, the sand thanks.

 

[JC_P]

Yes it is, but it will grow in the tank, these are 6' long so there is a good chunk of them outside the tank. So what happens with planted tanks? doesn't this happen with planted tanks also? or is it happening only with this plant because this plant will only root when free floating in water and wont root under the sand?

Edit: saw aclockworkorange's response after I posted. I guess I will have to take them out, the sand thanks.

It probably would happen if the plants in a planted tank were planted in sand. Sand is usually only used as a top layer over whatever plant medium is being used.

 

[nfored]

What if I put bubblers directly under the plant so that it pushes up any decaying or water soluble material before it can cause gas? I am just trying to figure something out since it looks so much nicer planted like strands of kelp then it did floating.

 

[Nighttouch]

If you put a bubble stone under the sand, the rising air would likely uproot the plants.