How To Create A Sandy River Bed/basin?

[minnnt]

Considering trying to create a sandy river bed of sort and just wondering how would be the nest way to create it? Thinking of going with play sand which is unusual for me as i normally hate the stuff, but i have some in the shed and considering using it as it would be a good start. I also have some small buff coloured gravel... Do i add the gravel to the top in certain places or just mix it all up?

Mucho appreciato...

 

[coldcazzie]

How deep are you planning it? I did it in the garage tank and it looked really good but it was only an inch deep so easy to mix in the tank. I put handfuls of both course and smooth gravel on top of the sand and mixed it in in some places, then dropped more in on top. Will you be adding smooth river stones as well? If you do then you should be building substrate up around them. What's your plan/hope for the end result? Are we talking fast flowing with low growing plants and lots of algae for loaches?

 

[minnnt]

Thanks caz. Good plan. Would aim for 2" depth anyway like in all my tanks.

Was thinking for my firemouths as they like to dig, so sand would be best.

What plants would you suggest?