Sand and gravel landscaping?

[Debisbooked]

I have a new 46g bowfront. Plans include low light plants, DIY CO2, bogwood, coconut caves, and various freshwater peaceful fish. I want to get a few bottom dwelling fish that I understand prefer a sandy bottom. I also want to have gravel. So I was thinking of doing some sort of landscaping whereby the plants are mostly planted in the gravel towards the back two-thirds of the tank (which has a layer of ecocomplete or other nutrient layer underneath), and have a sandy beach towards the front. My questions: Has anyone done this with success? Will the gravel and sand mix over time? Is there some sort of barrier I could erect that would keep the mediums separate? Would the bottom dwellers (cory's? otos?) mess the layers up anyway? Will the filter (Eheim 2213) mess the layers up over time? There seem to be some controversy over using sand because it compacts but there are lots of pics of sandy bottom tanks on the web that look just fine. These people can't all be wrong. Any advice appreciated.

 

[beviking]

You could use a barrier. I've seen some AWESOME barriers made from plexiglass, bent and siliconed to the tank bottom. If the layers are close to the same depth, you could just put the plexiglass (or piece of slate, plastic, anything non-toxic and solid will work...legos) vertical between them. You'll likely get some mixing but the sand will settle into the gravel and the gravel will sit on top of the sand so you could remove it.
The filter will mess up the sand IF the current is too strong and/or directed right at it. You should be able to direct it so it doesn't.
As long as the depth of sand is under 4", you shouldn't have to worry about compacting.
HTH

 

[phanmc]

Here's a nice example of what you're looking for by Luis Navarro:

http://www.mynatureaquariums.com/30gal/index.htm

There will be some mixing of the sand and gravel but using rocks and driftwood to form a boundary will help reduce it.

Otos don't disturb the substrate very much, they prefer to hang out on the glass or in plants. Cories will disturb the substrate and mix the gravel and sand, as will loaches.

The Ehiem spraybar is set up pretty high and won't disturb the substrate.

Sand that is over 2" deep can compact and become dangerous, you will need to stir it up during water changes to prevent anaerobic pockets from forming.

 

[Debisbooked]

Wow! The Navarro tank is something. It gives me much to think about. Thanks phanmc.