Laterite + Sand Mix?

[SimonSays]

Hey guys, another question from a plant tank newbie

I was planning to use sand in my new 55gal, however I was worried about the plants getting enough nutrients, and also worried about the "gravel + sand mixed nasty look" that i've read about on the forums. Do you think a layer of sand + laterite on the bottom plus a layer of sand on the top would prevent the laterite from moving around too much? or would it eventually mix up anyways?

Also, should I wait til I get my plants before adding the laterite in? would the laterite itself leach nutrients into the water and without plants to compete for these nutrients would algae bloom off the charts?

ps: looking to do a low light/tech plant setup, with the plants stickied at the top of the forum

 

[PortWash]

As a relative newbie myself I can offer my experience in regards to your post. As far as the laterite staying nicely placed under the second layer of sand dont count on it as I must have moved my plants a hundred times in the first few months thus that would ruin the nicely placed laterite. you are ahead of the game as i layed simple rock to begin then had to shift around to get soil under it and now its all mixed together. I was recently checking out the planted tank pinned pics and noticed that not all the tanks had elaborate substrate in my estimation this must be due to proper EI. hope this helps

 

[doubledee]

Yeah, the sand and laterite won't stay separate for very long! I have a layer of plant substrate under my sand and whenever it mixes at the front I just pour a jug of tank water on to it and it scatters all the bits of substrate to the sides leaving nice clean sand in the middle in the swimming area.

 

[SimonSays]

ahh that sounds good, I think I might add a thin layer of laterite even though it might mix...should I put the laterite in at the same time as I put my plants in? or can i get the substrate setup now? I might not be able to put plants in for a few weeks. ill algae use the nutrients ?

 

[angelmouse]

i have 1" laterite under 2" sand, in 6mths it has mixed abit but not too bad, i suck up any loose bits when i clean tank, plants loved it, i also just push the laterite back to bottom if it shows. If you like to change the tank around alot it might not be good idea
Angel

 

[SimonSays]

wow how big is your tank? I read online somewhere that you would only need 1oz per gallon...and I have a 55gal...and a 55oz box costs around $20US. I can't even imagine how much i'd need for a 1 inch layer =(

 

[angelmouse]

sorry should have added i mixed the laterite layer with sand, i only used 1 box for my 55g
Angel