[So how do I set up a brand new tank with a sand substrate that will be benificial for plant growth? I am interested in this and I have no experience with sand bottom or setting up a tank with sand.]
You can go to liveaquaria.com and check out their sand substrates for freshwater tanks for plants. Although you are asking for beginner plants, and most beginner plants don't need those special substrates.
[Won't the sand get really disturbed when adding water to the tank for the first time? If so, how long does it take to settle?]
My 10 gallon took about 12 or so hours to settle. The sand does get slightly disturbed when adding water but will settle shortly after.
[How do you wash sand initially?]
I get a big old bucket, put a small amount of sand and just keep adding water to the bucket, mixing the sand around, dumping the water out, and repeated until the water i dump out is clear. Cleaning sand takes a really-really-really long time. Once that part of sand is clean, i just put it in the bottom of the tank. When you have enough sand, then u can fill ur tank with water.
[Which kind of sand is the best for a freshwater tank, and how much do you need for a 10 gallon tank? How much for a 20 gallon tank?]
Go to a hardware store and just buy a cheap bag of sandbox sand.-play sand. Usually the smallest size bag they have is 50 pounds, and is just about $3 (USD). If you have extra sand u can just put it in your yard somewhere. I think a 50 pound back work be perfect for a 10 gallon and a 20 gallon tank.
[Oh yes, how many plants and what kinds are best for a beginner working in this substrate? Sorry that may be a little off the subject.]
As far as I know Java Moss and Java Fern are good beginner plants.
You can go to liveaquaria.com and check out their sand substrates for freshwater tanks for plants. Although you are asking for beginner plants, and most beginner plants don't need those special substrates.
[Won't the sand get really disturbed when adding water to the tank for the first time? If so, how long does it take to settle?]
My 10 gallon took about 12 or so hours to settle. The sand does get slightly disturbed when adding water but will settle shortly after.
[How do you wash sand initially?]
I get a big old bucket, put a small amount of sand and just keep adding water to the bucket, mixing the sand around, dumping the water out, and repeated until the water i dump out is clear. Cleaning sand takes a really-really-really long time. Once that part of sand is clean, i just put it in the bottom of the tank. When you have enough sand, then u can fill ur tank with water.
[Which kind of sand is the best for a freshwater tank, and how much do you need for a 10 gallon tank? How much for a 20 gallon tank?]
Go to a hardware store and just buy a cheap bag of sandbox sand.-play sand. Usually the smallest size bag they have is 50 pounds, and is just about $3 (USD). If you have extra sand u can just put it in your yard somewhere. I think a 50 pound back work be perfect for a 10 gallon and a 20 gallon tank.
[Oh yes, how many plants and what kinds are best for a beginner working in this substrate? Sorry that may be a little off the subject.]
As far as I know Java Moss and Java Fern are good beginner plants.
