Ideal substrate

[Radek]

Hi, I'd like to have your opinions on which would be better to used alone as substrate for a planted aquarium. I'm looking at black onyx sand and black flourite, and but a sandy substrate would be most desired. Thanks in advance for thoughts or ideas.

[pl*co]

I think it depends a lot on the plants you plan to have. Plus, the more plants, the more nutrients will be needed. According to my Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants book, sand contains zero nutrients for plants, hence, you will have to add them all, with the exception of what is absorbed from the water (tap water). Flourite alone is high in nutrients, but fine gravel over the top of that is better, from what I have read, not from a nutrients stand point but from an upper substrate layer perspective. Have you considered putting sand under Flourite? Roots will take hold even better than with just Flourite.

Without going into a lot of detail at this point, to have plants in sand you must provide for a way to have the sand turned over on a regular basis or risk the health of the plants, as it is susceptible to compaction. A browse through the tank pics in some of the forums here, along with those under the Members menu item, should give you some ideas. I would read the Sticky's in the Plant forum as well for more information.

[jonathan03]

I usually mix sand with something else. It does will with a mix of gravel. I think you can mix flourite and sand. Sand is good because its fine and it holds the roots down very well. However, sand can also clump and make it hard for delicate roots to grow. So a mixture of both would be best in my opinion. But it is definately possible to use them both separate.

[nursie]

I've been thinking along the same lines, like a fluorite/play sand mix. I thought to put the fluorite on the bottom and the sand on the top.
Should I do it the other way around...or a layer of sand, then fluorite and then sand again?

And how does it work with sand and a python? Won't it suck up sand? WOuld it be better to use gravel and fluorite mix instead?

Thanks!!

[pl*co]

Yep, flourite over sand. The idea is to put the larger particles on top, so if you used gravel, it would be gravel over sand or gravel over flourite. The larger particles let more of the water through and hence, the nutrients in the media around the plant roots wash through and don't remain. So be careful with the size gravel you use too. You should use the smaller size.

[RTR]

I would use straight Flourite myself. Sand will end up on the bottom, where it does nothing any good and can go anoxic.