Peat - Onyx - Sand substrate

[Kissofthegorami]

I didn't use sand in mine. I used a thin layer of Peat, then aquatic plant soil, and then a layer of gravel. My plants have done great. There is always the possibility of sand becoming compacted and lacking oxygen. I understand that pool filter sand is slightly larger than play sand and compacts less. If you want the acidic and blackwater effect of peat, you should put it in a stocking in the filter. Lots of driftwood helps to create soft, acidic, tea-colored water too. I have a mainly south american biome with Angels, cardinals, rummy nose and cories, lots of sword plants.

 

[nursie]

If you vaccum, your substrates will mix. I used pool sand and Seachem's Fluorite, fluorite on bottom and sand on top. Of course they are mixing..and to me it is a pleasing look. And indeed the rocky stuff is coming to the top, and sand soing to the bottom. :sim:
How deep do MTS's go? I find I have one that's made it long enough to grow up. Every time I see it out I hope it hides before some enterprizing loach gets it. Of course they IGNORE all the ramshorns I want them to eat.

 

[RTR]

Nursie - that depends on the particle size of the substrate. They are O2-limited and don't go below oxygenated levels, so more deeply in coarse substrates than in fine.