Last question for the day, I promise. 
A couple of my plants have roots emerging from the substrate.. I have, among other things, an amazon sword plant that is the worst offender, but I see some of the roots from my crypts sticking starting to grow out of the substrate also. My moneywort grows roots everywhere, but I expect that.. my shrimp love to hide in it!
Anyway, I've tried to tell if my substrate is becoming anoxic (is that the right word?) and I don't think it is. I've not noticed any bubbles coming out it, I can stick my finger all the way to the bottom of it in several places, (2.5-3 inches of onyx sand) and no bubbles come out. So, at least I don't have a ton of N2 gas forming. (or any other gas...) I slid a knife through near a planted section to see if maybe there was a pocket somewhere, and I couldn't find one. Is it possible that my substrate is becoming unhealthy for the plant roots without forming gas bubbles? Or is this just normal?
The tank: 29 gallon with 55watts of PC, diy CO2 that stays around 14ppm (Give or take a bit) It is moderately planted, with one large sword, two babies, (from the sword) two clumps of crypt, a little bit of anacharis and several bunches of moneywort.
A couple of my plants have roots emerging from the substrate.. I have, among other things, an amazon sword plant that is the worst offender, but I see some of the roots from my crypts sticking starting to grow out of the substrate also. My moneywort grows roots everywhere, but I expect that.. my shrimp love to hide in it!
Anyway, I've tried to tell if my substrate is becoming anoxic (is that the right word?) and I don't think it is. I've not noticed any bubbles coming out it, I can stick my finger all the way to the bottom of it in several places, (2.5-3 inches of onyx sand) and no bubbles come out. So, at least I don't have a ton of N2 gas forming. (or any other gas...) I slid a knife through near a planted section to see if maybe there was a pocket somewhere, and I couldn't find one. Is it possible that my substrate is becoming unhealthy for the plant roots without forming gas bubbles? Or is this just normal?
The tank: 29 gallon with 55watts of PC, diy CO2 that stays around 14ppm (Give or take a bit) It is moderately planted, with one large sword, two babies, (from the sword) two clumps of crypt, a little bit of anacharis and several bunches of moneywort.
