New to plants

Welcome to Aquaria Central!

If you are in a warm climate I think there isn’t any problem collecting local plants. The trouble for us is that our local plants are growing in cooler temps than we have in our tropical tanks. I remember reading once that this difference could either mean the plants die (well, nothing like trying) or they absolutely take over (can’t see too much wrong with that, personally). Don’t forget it would be very important to sterilize these plants. That being said, I have recently taken some nice-looking plants (weeds) from a lake. In being overly-cautious, I sterilized my lake plants using 2 separate methods. The bigger ones did not survive my sterilizing but the little ones are very bright green and healthy – but so far not doing too much growing in the tank (They were really itty bitty when I put them in, about 1/4 inch high a month ago. They are now 1 inch only.) Maybe they need to get established. Of course, my tank is low light and they just might not be suitable in the long run.

you can soak the plants in a bleach and water solution. 1 ounce of bleach to 20 ounces of water, and soak them for 5 to 10 minutes. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly before you put them in the tank to remove the chlorine.

As for sand substrate, I have read many recommendations against sand (play sand) as it will compact and create anaerobic conditions (bad). Onyx sand, or a more porous sand would be better. I personally don't use sand excpet as a bottom layer under my normal substrate as a medium for substrate heating coails (in one tank only) and I can't see any plants growing into the sand so I must also add my vote of dissent on using sand.