Planted Sand Tanks
- Thread starter SexyBeast
- Start date
Yes it is possible to use sand. You just have to stick your fingers in it every once in a while to stir it up so nasty bacteria(Cant remember the name if it right off hand) wont build up in it.
The only drawback with sand is you wont get any nutrient for the plants from sand.
The only drawback with sand is you wont get any nutrient for the plants from sand.
If you want to use sand I would use a corse sand like pool filter sand. Fine sand doesn't work that well. Plants have a hard time rooting in fine sand and it compacts easy.
so basically a plant cannot get its proper nutrients thru playsand..but it would do fine in pool filter sand?
I've had mixed success keeping very, very easy plants in pool filter sand with a very course grain. I only keep anubias, java fern, and crypts (and java moss, but that's all on the driftwood). For the anubias and java fern, I just poked some of the roots down into the sand and let some stay above the substrate. The crypts' roots are completely below the sand.
After a few months, the java fern is breaking apart and turning very dark and not really growing all that well (it was an experiment anyway), I've had some trouble with yellow and curling leaves on the anubias, but the ones that have 3 or 4 root ends poking up above the sand are doing well, and the crypts are doing absolutely fantastic. Bear in mind that I am running less than 1 wpg on my tank as well. LOL Super low-tech.
After a few months, the java fern is breaking apart and turning very dark and not really growing all that well (it was an experiment anyway), I've had some trouble with yellow and curling leaves on the anubias, but the ones that have 3 or 4 root ends poking up above the sand are doing well, and the crypts are doing absolutely fantastic. Bear in mind that I am running less than 1 wpg on my tank as well. LOL Super low-tech.
Howdy,
I have playsand in my 220 gal. In fact, sand is often better for plants than gravel. Playsand has the advantage that it still contains some clay, which serves as natural fertilizer. I recommend to introduce Malaysian Trumpet Snails, and you will not have any problems with the dead zomes described above.
HarleyK
I have playsand in my 220 gal. In fact, sand is often better for plants than gravel. Playsand has the advantage that it still contains some clay, which serves as natural fertilizer. I recommend to introduce Malaysian Trumpet Snails, and you will not have any problems with the dead zomes described above.
HarleyK
i use a mix of sand and gravel with plants and works and looks good to me, very natural. if you do use sand do not make a very deep layer and wash it really good. if you use hob filters or any type with an impeller or small moving parts i would reccomend having the water intake tube higher than usual to avoid it sucking up sand granules and ruining the filter.
with your 55 gal do you use pool sand and what type of lighting do you use because I just bought some swords?