Sand and plants

[hotwingz]

So ive been thining of changing from gravel to sand but i have several live plants. Will they do as well? Ive never used anything but gravel in any of my tanks. And does it provide any better bio support.

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[Frank Cowherd]

We all know sand when we see it but not all sand is good for the aquarium. I made a mistake in using sand that was sucked out when I siphoned the debris out of the tank. And lots of fine sand can pack down so hard it ends up more like clumps unless the fish are stirring it up all the time. I also think you should not use a sand that has any particles in it that a magnet will pick up. Maybe a better description for good sand is a really fine gravel. I do not know of a good source of such, maybe someone else in the club knows. Although if you have access to a stream or river or beach, you might get sand there that should be great. River sand has rounded corners that will not injure fish mouths or barbels, if they have those.

For African cichlids, Aragonite sand (sold at lfs) is very good and helps maintain the pH of the water.

 

[b considine]

Pool filter sand. You'll need a couple of inches in order to be deep enough for the plants to root.

Blaise

 

[Tony]

Like Frank said, I mix in crushed coral (aragonite) with pool filter sand in most of my African tanks to buffer the water.

Plants are hit or miss with sand, but generally don't do as well imo. The water doesn't migrate as much through sand, depriving the roots of oxygen and nutrients in the water column. Also, most Africans and some new world cichilds will dig all over the place, uprooting the plants. You can try pots if this is an issue.

 

[hotwingz]

Well somehow ive been lucky enough to not have diggers! Ha but i didnt think that sand was as good for plants. Now does it have any extra bio base or whatever then gravel.

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[Tony]

This is a good recent thread on plants and planted substrates:

http://www.capitalcichlids.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11328&highlight=planted+substrate