Sand Substrate

[CluelessScot]

hi all,

I currently have sand substrate and want to grow some plants all the plants i had before seemed to do really badly, i had 10 in my 45gallon... 2 plants werent really aquatic plants but they seem to be ace, no brown bit or parts falling off, I also had an Anubias and an Echinodorus something? they started to look real bad so my girlfriend took them and they are in her 5gallon tank and now are looking great! the only 2 plants that have survived are the Vallis torta which has sprouted another 5 parts around the 1st plant and the Cabomba caroliniana which hit the top of the water so i took some cutting and i have a bunch of like 7 now thats doing good

I was told it was because i have sand and nothing will root and will die... but then why has the vallis sprouted?

i have ordered more vallis, some four leaf clovers and crypt becketii. I was told these are easier plants to care for and was wondering what i should do? i can get some aquarium peat from the aquatic club for £1.50 for a big tub. If i get that do i move the sand, put it in, then cover with sand? im kinda lost if u havent already guessed

Any help you can give please shout,

Kev

P.s i thought about C02 but i have no idea where to start???

 

[emo]

First of all, what lighting do you currently have?

Sand substrate is perfectally fine for planted tanks, however if you have something like playsand there are little no no nutrients in it at all, which is why a lot of people use First Layer Laterite with sand, which will provide roots the nutrients which sand lacks. Laterite, of course is just one option for this purpose.

As for using aquarium peat, I have no idea! Anyone else?

 

[RYO]

Aquarium peat absorbs and sequesters calcium ions while releasing valuable organics into the water (humic and tannic acids that will also lower the pH).
My guess is the water up your way is soft already so i wouldn't think you need it.
Sand is ok for plants so long as you feed your plants. Root tabs will help with the root feeders, however lots of plant feed through their leaves so a liquid fertiliser will help .
Emo has pointed out your lighting might be the main problem.
If you could you post your tank stats we might be able to help more.

 

[CluelessScot]

yeah, lighting is a problem, got 1w per gallon atm was going to buy a new tube (2nd tube) today