Beginner plants...

[FishSticks]

I'm planning out my 55 gallon aquarium and I was wondering if it was at all possible to use sand with the plants listed below. I really like the look of sand, but if these plants will grow better in another substrate please tell me. I picked all these plants because I did a small amount of research and found them as beginner or easy to take care of plants. If anyone thinks these aren't easy please tell me too so I don't waste my money The measurements for my tank are 48"L x 13"W x 20"H...Does anyone think my tank isn't big enough for my future plants?

I'm just trying to do some research before I get started so any information, comments, suggestions will be very helpful!

Foreground -
5 Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae)

Mid-ground -
2 Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
1 Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
2 Crispus (Aponogeton crispus)

Background -
2 Anacharis (Egeria densa)
1 Temple – Narrow Leaf (Hygrophila corymbosa)
2 Red Rubin (Echinodorus rubin)

PS/ No I do not have anything fancy like a Co2 thingy

 

[Tempestuousfury]

CO2 injector?

Only thing I can tell you is that the java fern needs to be anchored ot something. Rubber band it to driftwood or something and it should be fine.

I think the plants will do fine, just as long as the sand doesn't compact too much.

 

[FishSticks]

Ok, I did some research and decided to use playground sand and 10-15 pounds of gravel so the sand doesn't compact too much. I don't know the rule for how much sand I can put in my 55 gallon aquarium, anybody know how many pounds of sand I should put in there?

 

[FishSticks]

And one more question...How do you clean sand Can I use a normal gravel vac or will the sand block up the tubes?

 

[RYO]

Cleaning sand is easier than gravel, you can use a gravel vac but you dont dig into the sand like you would with gravel , just hover it over the sandas all the smegg sits on top of the sand.
I wouldnt bother mixing gravel with the sand unless you realy like the look. you can stire the sand with your fingers or a chopstick or buy cories ive never had a prob with the sand compacting as most of the sand is coverd with plants.
Most peeps seem to use 1-2 inches of sand when plants are in use,less if no plants.
As for washing , put sand in a bucket and run water through untill is runs clean and keep repeating and repeating and repeating
hope this helps

 

[FishSticks]

Yeah that helps, I thought it would be harder to maintain sand Thanxs now I can get started with my new aquarium.

Hey RYO what kind of sand do you have in your aquarium?

 

[RYO]

I playsand in both my tanks, some people say pool filter sand is better but i couldnt find it around my area.