Will Plants Grow In Sand?

[Lord Spooky]

im just currois because i bought a new 35 gallon tank and it has sand and plants in it.. is this ok?

 

[fishlette]

yes its fine. they should grow quite well with the sand and some light

 

[Lord Spooky]

yay! Thank you very much!

Also i hear sand boosts your oh so i should be on a look out for this. Sorry this is my fist tank with sand im very happy

 

[iairj84]

It would depend on the type of sand you're using... If it has any crushed sea shell or limestone in it then it could affect your ph but my plain jane sand hasn't effected the PH in any of my tanks.

 

[fishlette]

It would depend on the type of sand you're using... If it has any crushed sea shell or limestone in it then it could affect your ph but my plain jane sand hasn't effected the PH in any of my tanks.

i second that. i use pool filter sand and it has never effected the pH of my water. once again, just comes down to what kind of sand you use

 

[PRW1988]

Pool filter sand is very fine ground if I'm not mistaken, plants have a harder time growing in sand if it's finely ground, the roots aren't able to spread as easily... It's give or take as some plants are much faster growing than others, but if it is very finely ground sand than the plants won't grow as easily...

 

[nivisec]

Look for it to say Silica based on it. This sand type is inert and will not affect anything chemical wise. Most sand will be this type unless you bought it from the fish store (ie Cichlid sand, marine sand, etc)

If your sand it too fine, you could get some coarser sand (sandblasting sand medium coarse is a good choice) to put on the top layer or to mix in. You could also do tiny gravel or gravel chips that matches the sand in color--or buy some pea gravel and smash it yourself--mixed in to coarsen it up for the plants.

 

[Araxen]

I have sand in my 55 Gallon tank and my plants grow like weeds! Just make sure you get some iron tabs if you gonna plant Swords or anything that needs to be fed by the root.

 

[dirtydog]

doh - i just put swords in my sand tank. can i not use liquid ferts instead of tabs?

 

[loachman]

doh - i just put swords in my sand tank. can i not use liquid ferts instead of tabs?

swords are root feeders, so water dosing doesn't help as much from what I hear.

 

[iairj84]

My swords are growing like crazy with no root tabs at all. I wouldn't be so quick as to say they wont grow. I've seen mine start from a little plantlet and now it's a HUGE plant that has sent two runners already, it's been about 3 months and I haven't added any root tabs.

 

[kpintheshed]

plants can grow in sand just make sure u have a thick bedding

 

[Teelie]

Plants will grow in most substrates provided you give them the right nutrients and setting (lighting, ferts, CO2, etc).

 

[kewskills]

i have plants growing in sand and gravel, depends on the type of plant.

 

[Jazzyc]

I have a planted tank and I use sand as substrate and I must say that plants grow much better as the roots spread much more than they did when I had gravel..... also... i no longer need lead eights to hold the plants doen as the sand is really good at holding the plants in.

Hope that helps!!