Sand as substrate and no CO2?

cab395

cab395

AC Members
Aug 28, 2011
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Hi everyone. I'd like to start a planted tank, finally. I've had FW aquariums my whole life but never dove into plants. I was wondering if I could have sand at the bottom of my tank and still have plants? I heard about using MTS to stir up substrate, would that be a good idea? Basically I just want to know if it's possible to keep some plants in a tank with fish while not injecting CO2 and using a sand substrate. Am I just dreaming? Thanks! :)
 
I have sand substrate planted tanks with no CO2. I just have your typical plants you find at any fish store more exotic plants might need it but my current stock has thrived well, I use root tabs on occasion and liquid fert/food. I have MTS and Kuhli's to stir up the sand.
 
Awesome, thank you! :)
 
Linda S said:
I just switched to sand and added root tabs and liquid ferts, kuhli's what a great idea.
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Wouldn't rely on the Kuhli's alone they don't burrow in the open but love to dig under all the rocks and my banana plants(they dont uproot them). I think they also eat some of the baby MTS so they help keep the pop. in check.
 
Most plants should do fine, others will appreciate root tabs if they are heavy root feeders...for no CO2 or any other carbon alternative stick to slow growing plants with lower lighting. Anubias, crypts, java ferns, java moss, etc. would be good plants to start out with...
 
jpappy789 said:
Most plants should do fine, others will appreciate root tabs if they are heavy root feeders...for no CO2 or any other carbon alternative stick to slow growing plants with lower lighting. Anubias, crypts, java ferns, java moss, etc. would be good plants to start out with...
Click to expand...
+1
 
jpappy789 said:
Most plants should do fine, others will appreciate root tabs if they are heavy root feeders...for no CO2 or any other carbon alternative stick to slow growing plants with lower lighting. Anubias, crypts, java ferns, java moss, etc. would be good plants to start out with...
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks yet again everyone! :)
 
With hardy plants and good light,you won't have a problem at all.I have kept some planted tanks in the past using silica sand and no CO2.
 
How thick should the sand substrate be? I have thought for a while that one of the reasons some of my more delicate fish died pretty quickly upon joining my tank was because there was something brewing in my sand. My parameters were always perfect, but some species would just die. It was frustrating.
 
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