Sand: to add a soil layer? or not to add?

[leslie123]

I've decided on sand for my substrate (already bought the pool filter sand) and need to decide whether to add a layer of laterite/clay/whatever to the bottom.

My question is: doe it really matter if I add one of those other layers? I mean; will the plants really grow better than with just sand? I'll fertilize, and so will the fish.

It's going to be a heavily planted aquarium. I'm not going to bother with CO2; with previous (undergravel filtered) aquariums, the plants grew like weeds without added CO2, so I'm hoping to do the same with sand. (We'll see.) 90 gallon aquarium, soft acidic water, canister filter.

Thanks!
Leslie

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I'd suggets the soil. however, you'd have to keep it in water outside of the tank for a few months so it doesn't mess up the water (unless you can find soil that you can put right in).

It's not necessary, however. (Though my research definitely states that plants do worse in sand than in gravel, thugh members here would beg to differ).