Planning a planted tank, never had live plants b4

[anniejensen]

OK, so... here's what's up. I'm moving my goldfish and apple snails into a much more accomodating 55 gal tank. I want to plant it and I want to do it right, mostly because I don't have a lot of money to waste on my mess-ups. And on that note...

I want an inexpensive substrate bottom layer.. I'm planning for sand above and what(?) below. I want something that is cheap but good for the plants.

Tell me, oh wise ones!!!!

[FastFly67]

Have you done research on plants and goldies? I have seen few (very few) successful planted/goldy tanks.
on edit: look for flaringshutter ( i think that's the spelling of her name) iirc, she's got an incredible planted/goldy tank

[bluekrissyspike]

plants will grow fine in both sand and gravel as long as you provide them with fertilizers. i'm not too sure that you can plant many things in with goldfish as they tend to nibble and uproot plants, although i don't have that much experience with them. when i did keep goldies i had an aponagoden crispus in the tank with them and it did very well so i think if you choose plants that have thick, tough leaves it should be okay.

[Mgamer20o0]

prob want to go with anubias since its a thicker plants. goldfish do like to kill many plants.

[anniejensen]

Yes, folks, I have researched goldfish-safe-ish plants. Just wondering what goes under the sand? Anything? I read about peat... is this a bottom layer that provides goodness to the plants?

[Mgamer20o0]

dont need anything under the sand. just some chop sticks to mix up the sand here and there.

[anniejensen]

I've been researching and educating myself on the subject and everywhere I read it calls for something under the sand or gravel. I've heard of using laterite, peat, flourite, etc. I was thinking if I could use one of the more inexpensive ones I would like to cuz I want to give my plants the best chance possible. (I'm not that great with plants in general, even though I love em)

[Star_Rider]

well you read it here..

you don't need anything under the sand.

Many of usd here are using sand as the sole substrate in a planted tank.. it works fine.

root feeders would need plant tabs(ferts) many other plants feed from the water column. these will grow planted or free floating.

the exception would be if you were running a UGF ..then you should consider a barrier to prevent sand from falling into the filter grid.