Can I plant directly into ADA sand?

In my opinion, it's unfortunate that you purchased powersand. If anything, it's a secondary addition. I would have just gotten Aquasoil by itself. Since you already have it, I would use it in addition to aquasoil.

Powersand doesn't contain many nutrients, so while you can plant directly into it, you'll still have to dose into the water column.
 
After running several tanks with and without the Power sand + ADA aqua soil, I just use the Aqua soil alone now. I've never been able to tell any significant differences with/without the Power sand. The ADA aqua soil seems to be the main part of the ADA routine that helps the plants do well. The rest of the soil products seem to be add ons or hold overs.

The liquid ferts are nothing more than typical DIY dry ferts + water anyone can buy for 25$ for 50lbs..........that could make a 1000 gallon vat, vs 500 mls for about the same cost.

Tanks are very nice, not too over priced either.
Glassware, filters, stands etc, over priced but still nice.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
In my opinion, it's unfortunate that you purchased powersand. If anything, it's a secondary addition. I would have just gotten Aquasoil by itself. Since you already have it, I would use it in addition to aquasoil.

Powersand doesn't contain many nutrients, so while you can plant directly into it, you'll still have to dose into the water column.
I haven't purchased anything yet I'm just doing some research first. What is a good light colored semi fine substrate that would work for a lightly planted tank?
 
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Something like this

Lightsubstrate.jpg
 
The tank you are looking at there isn't using 100% powersand. In fact, I doubt it uses powersand at all. You can't tell unless you know, but where you see plants, they are using aquasoil, and then they have a barrier between the aquasoil and sand. The substrates don't mix, and since the sand lacks nutrients(plus the barrier) the plants stay out of it.

Let me see if I can find a demonstration.
 
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