Dividing sand and soil Substrate

[Puffernewbee]

I would like to set-up my planted tank with both a soil substrate and sand. When I see this being done, it looks like cardboard is placed between the two in the initial set-up then it is removed. It would seem that that would make for a real pain keeping them seperated. If not I would love to know how that works.

I was thinking of making up 3 inch wide longs strips of acrylic and using them a a permanent barrier between the two substrates. Would this work? Has anyone ever tried this?

 

[kveeti]

I did something similar to divide my tank into 2 levels. I used acrylic strips hidden behind a rock wall. My strips are siliconed to styrofoam which in turn is siliconed to the tank floor.
Side view:

 

[kuzikan]

I have seen peope just simply put large short pots in there aqarium with the dirt in the pot and having it overflow with plants. It look great if you do it right. I have also seen people use nice size rocks as there boder do devide, then raise the level behind the rocks. I think the accually put something behind the rocks to keep the dirt from comming out from the cracks. These are great ideas if you think you may decide to change your mind at some point.

 

[Puffernewbee]

Some good ideas. Thanks for the quick response.