Pond Soil Topped With Sand

[blackers92]

Hi Guys

I have decided to finally get sand but I have read that plants will not really grow very well, will pond soil from a nursery be suitable? Topped with some black silica sand?

Cheers

 

[Mikaila31]

just dig up some dirt if you are going to do that. Best way would be to "minealize" the soil, which is a long process. If nothing try to find some clay to mix in with the regular dirt. Don't go crazy with the dirt level, I wouldn't go over 1". Tank must be heavily planted with in a few days and you might have to do a couple water changes the first week. Otherwise your looking at a lot of algae.

 

[blackers92]

well how well would the plants grow without soil, I want corydoras but apparently they excel in a planted tank which sand is supposedly not the best substrate for growth. I am confused. Some user opinions would be appreciated

 

[KittyKat]

Non-demanding plants don't do too bad.. also keep in mind that most stem plants take nutrients predominantly out of the water column and you can target fertilise with root tabs those plants which take stuff up through their roots.

Another thing I have had good success with is "potting" individual plants into soil in a stocking.. but honestly, you really don't want to bother with this unless you just want to experiment for the fun of it.

 

[ian]

IMO, you'll have to look at the tank holistically before you think of what you need. You can run a tank successfully without any under gravel substrate. Sand is fine for many. I would always recommend JBL aquabasis plus, only because if you start to miss doses of ferts, you have this as a back up. All plants will take from the water column better than feeding from the root. Tom Barr did some work on this a while ago and it was proved, it takes more of the plants energy to take it from the root. Plants will grow fine in just sand, as long as they have the correct nutrients in the water column.