Critters to go through the sand while carpeting

JohnFromWrok · Mar 16, 2015

Hi everyone, this is my first real post!

I am trying to carpet Dwarf Hairgrass (started a week ago) and my trouble is eventually going to be shuffling the sand to prevent toxic buildup. I usually do this by hand but I won't be able to if I carpet successfully. Anyways just trying to get a critter in there in advance so I can leave my sand alone while growing my grass. I read about Malaysian Trumpet Snails but I want to know what are other good options.

Listed my tank specs below. Please feel free to add suggestions/comments/criticisms!

35 gallon Freshwater tank
3 Blue Gouramis, 1 Chinese Algae Eater, and 3 Cory Catfish.
Planted Java Fern attached to driftwood and trying to carpet Dwarf Hairgrass.
2 inch deep sandbed
USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light.
200 Gallon Aquarium Canister Filter UV 9w UV Sterilizer Fish Tank SUNSUN HW-304B
Fluval Aquaclear 50 Power Filter

Andre7 · Mar 16, 2015

I don't know my aquatic animals well enough to suggest a creature, but if worse comes to worst, think you could poke at it with a chopstick or knitting needle?

jpappy789 · Mar 16, 2015

MTS are a good bet. Blackworms could work, but may be eaten up by the fish too quickly to stay at a decent population.

Also, roots themselves will help aerate the top layers of the substrate.

henningc · Mar 17, 2015

MTS will work just fine and keep the lawn clean once grown.

FreshyFresh · Mar 17, 2015

If your sand bed is only 2", I wouldn't worry about toxic build-up. The deeper, the more chance of it going anaerobic.

THE V · Mar 17, 2015

If the plants are healthy and growing the roots create pores in the substrate. These pores prevent the build up of nasties. I'm going on 4 years with a sand capped with gravel substate. No stirring of the substrate at all.

You actually don't want anything disturbing the roots. Any disturbance of the roots causes damage to the fine root hairs. This damage can cause the plant to go I to a wound response and stop its growth as it first heals.


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Critters to go through the sand while carpeting

JohnFromWrok

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Andre7

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jpappy789

Plants need meat too

henningc

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FreshyFresh

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THE V

Hiding from my children