Tips and ideas for a planted tank with sand

[Doolin94]

So I have had my tanked cycled now and fish in there for the past two months. It has a sand bottom but now instead of the fake pink and purple plants I would like to have actual plants. Any ideas on planting a tank with with sand?

 

[Bunsen Honeydew]

So I have had my tanked cycled now and fish in there for the past two months. It has a sand bottom but now instead of the fake pink and purple plants I would like to have actual plants. Any ideas on planting a tank with with sand?

My planted tank has sand. Many plants do well, and those that don't just need root tabs. I had a tank back in the day that had a couple of swords take it over without CO2 or any certs. Anubias and Java fern work well (mine are attached to driftwood), and crypts do well with tabs.

 

[fishorama]

I have a sand tank too. Like Bunsen said, anubias, ferns & mosses attached to wood. Swords & crypts with root tabs, vallisneria & sag too. A few stem plants grow well too. Ground covers IME do not.

 

[Bunsen Honeydew]

I have a sand tank too. Like Bunsen said, anubias, ferns & mosses attached to wood. Swords & crypts with root tabs, vallisneria & sag too. A few stem plants grow well too. Ground covers IME do not.

I forgot vals. That's silly since I have some in my tank. If you are not feeling snobby about plants, I have had luck with the cheap aponogetons bulbs from Walmart/Petco too.

 

[tanker]

Many of us grow plants in sand, it is a good substrate. It is the lights that is the most important.

 

[Doolin94]

Thanks guys. I'll give it a try. I kinda want to switch becasue my arficfiacl stuff gets dirty and is a pain to clean so I'm thinking maybe natural stuff would be a better idea. I have a big LED light bar going across the top of the 55gal tank so it should be enough.