plants and sand

[zave2340]

I bought a Java plant, ( not fern and not moss the other one :P) anyway i placed it in the gravel...... i now, 2 weeks later, have taken out all teh gravel and replaced it with sand..... will it still grow in the sand? i have never done a planted tank. I only have the 1 plant.

[djlen]

As long as it is not so fine that it compacts over time.

Len

[Kasakato]

I would of suggested to use pool filter sand because it has a nice colour, and wont compact too much.

[zave2340]

i did use pool filter sand....... so i should be fine... do i have to add anything to the water?

[thesydmonster]

I add liquid ferts each week to my tank that has a sand substrate with lots of plants in it. They are growing well.

[zave2340]

i pick up some really good plant fert from Big Al's everyone in teh store recommeneded it. I also got a Cypres or something, cant remember.

MY tank now has two plants and is "growing" (bad pun)

[Kissofthegorami]

You don't need to fertilize unless you have lots of plants and light. It may cause algae. A fertilizer tab in the substrate under the individual plants will provide all teh nutrients they need for a few months.

[thesydmonster]

Will a fert tab work in sand, too? I have never used them but have been thinking about it, especially for my amazon sword. Do they just dissolve over time or do you have to remove them eventually? Are they fish safe (like if a loach dug one up or something)?

Thanks!

[zave2340]

i was talking toa guy in Big Als' Barrie Ontario...
( The god of all Fish Stores)

Anyway, they are really good. the guy i was dealign with has a planted tank with sand, and siad all ferts suck!!! Expect... He gave me a bottle of Tropica fert. Strange looking bottle, but he siad i have to use it once maybe twice a month. He siad with there store brand it woudl be much for often. He siad it is the best you can get (trust me not cheap) but because you use less it works out in teh wash anyway. thats what i use now.