tl;dr : Can anyone recommend a planted tank substrate that would go well under sand, doesn't mix or sink, and preferably has some level of CEC but no worries if not
hello all, I hope any of you can give me some advice as I'm a newbie and a bit lost. I've recently acquired my first aquarium and was hoping to have live plants with sand, from what I've read sand with a sub layer can get messy depending on what you use. Can anyone recommend me a substrate I can cap with sand that won't cause the sand to sink/mix, or cause absolute havoc if I decide to move some plants around? I don't mind SOME mess just as long as it's manageable, which lets face it most things are. I've had my eye on Tropica's Plant Growth Substrate, but I've heard that can mix with the sand too. I've also considered having just sand and using root tabs, but I worry the plants would move too easily no matter how established they are. Soil has been considered too, but apparently there can be a smell? Nothing to fill a room I hope. Really I'm just looking for a substrate to anchor my plants roots and won't cause my sand sink to the point where the layers are swapped entirely. I'm wondering if fine gravel would do, although I'd prefer something with some CEC, I'd put up with it if that's my options.
Side notes, I'll be getting some corydoras and a BN plec once I've done my cycle if that changes anything, I know they like to dig about. Sorry about the long rambling, I've been on the coffee. Thank you all!
Non(ish) messy substrate under sand?
- Gingerlove05
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Hello and welcome
I’m not experienced with using plant substrates, my plants are just in sand/attached to wood. There are some members here who would be able to help
I’m not experienced with using plant substrates, my plants are just in sand/attached to wood. There are some members here who would be able to help
- Vale!
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You might find the 'sausage' approach a useful solution ...
Choose your planting medium and stuff however much you need into one or more tight-feet (i.e. cut the feet off a pair of ladies' tights!). Tie off the end(s), position where you're going to put your plants and cover with sand. When the medium is exhausted, it's easy to remove the sausages and refill and/or reposition.
I now routinely use this method.
Another solution could be to shove root tabs (pellets of fertiliser which slowly release nutrients) under your already-positioned plants.
Choose your planting medium and stuff however much you need into one or more tight-feet (i.e. cut the feet off a pair of ladies' tights!). Tie off the end(s), position where you're going to put your plants and cover with sand. When the medium is exhausted, it's easy to remove the sausages and refill and/or reposition.
I now routinely use this method.
Another solution could be to shove root tabs (pellets of fertiliser which slowly release nutrients) under your already-positioned plants.
- Ric
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What is CEC?
Apart from that, any substrate layers will mix to some extent over time. Just pulling up rooted plants to move them around will cause some mixing or if you have Malaysian Trumpet Snails, they'll dig it all over for you.
I've had sand+gravel and also soil+gravel combinations before. As long as you don't move the plants or rearrange any hardscape too vigorously, it stay in place. Problems start when moving plants or having above mentioned snails.
Soil can smell, if it develops anaerobic pockets. Then you'll even see gas bubbles coming up and its high time to give your tank a complete clean out. This can be avoided, though, if you have those trumpet snail digging over your soil, but then you get the mixing again. So, swings and roundabouts.
Ah - Vale! just beat me to it. Use his method
Apart from that, any substrate layers will mix to some extent over time. Just pulling up rooted plants to move them around will cause some mixing or if you have Malaysian Trumpet Snails, they'll dig it all over for you.
I've had sand+gravel and also soil+gravel combinations before. As long as you don't move the plants or rearrange any hardscape too vigorously, it stay in place. Problems start when moving plants or having above mentioned snails.
Soil can smell, if it develops anaerobic pockets. Then you'll even see gas bubbles coming up and its high time to give your tank a complete clean out. This can be avoided, though, if you have those trumpet snail digging over your soil, but then you get the mixing again. So, swings and roundabouts.
Ah - Vale! just beat me to it. Use his method
- Vale!
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Yes - I meant to ask that, too : what is "CEC" ?
- mikeyw64
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substrate_(aquarium)
When growing aquatic plants, the Cation Exchange Capacity[8] (CEC) is also an important thing to consider when choosing a substrate. CEC is the ability to absorb positively charged nutrient ions (so high CEC is good). This means the substrate will hold nutrients and make them available for the plant roots. It doesn't indicate the amount of nutrients the substrate contains.
- Ric
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Thanks @mikeyw64. In that case, is that what people use clay balls and some types of cat litter for?
- mikeyw64
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no idea, I just used the power of Google lol
- Martinspuddle
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Greetings. @sjg96
Works very well although it's a bit of a sod to get clean at first.
Yes, I've used Akadama before, it's granular clay-like mineral used as soil for bonsai trees.
Works very well although it's a bit of a sod to get clean at first.
WARNING - DO NOT BREED, FEED OR PET THE PUDDLE!
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- Ric
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Looks tasty