Soil or sand?

red_wall

Whoosh! feel the onomatopoeia
Jun 15, 2008
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SE Georgia
What do you think would be better?

I'm trying to do little or no ferts in a 10 gallon (probably my 46 as well)
From what I gather, if I do mineralized soil, the nutrients within the soil will last years without me having to add and ferts.

It almost seems impossible, but if it will work, then I'll give it a shot.

If soil does'nt provide all of the nutrients, would you think something like play sand or pool filter sand would do better?

What type of sand do you think would do best?
I saw silica sand and I know silica are what diatoms feed on, and I was a little wary.

Opinions please?
 
I use a 50/50 mix of sand and soil on the bottom, 1-2'' thick. Then I use 2'' of pool filter sand on top of it all. I have used this in several tanks now, and it works great. The plants develop strong root systems. I used straight soil under gravel and sand, and it gets messy and stinky and contains air pockets. I love the 50/50 mixture much better.
 
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