sand with plants?

[cichlidkeeper91]

I tried sand but it did not grow very well.

 

[IceH2O]

I use Quickrete medium grade Contractors sand in my 75 gallon.

Click my sig and see how the plants are doing.

Go to the last few pages to see the most up to date pics or start at the beginning to see the progress over time.

 

[Temo]

k

 

[Plecosterone]

Not trying to thread jack, but I once had white sand, man was it great lookin'. I didn't look before I leaped and bought 80lbs for my 100gal FW, whoops. I never thought of cleaning it. I have a python I always used for my rocks, but how about when the said is finally settled in the tank? Do you use the same method you originally did when you first bought it? Or are you able to use the python? I want to go back to sand, but was worried about the maintenance, especially since I'm in an apartment, up stairs to boot.

Many people use their pythons, I do not. The only difference between gravel and sand is that you dont dig the python into the substrate. Just keep it above the surface otherwise you will suck up the sand. Nothing gets into the sand like gravel so surface cleaning is all that is necessary. It is good to poke or stir it up once in a while to release any gas pockets that may form. I have not had much problem with this myself.
Bellow is what I use for cleaning. It allows me to get right into the thick plants without disturbing them.

 

[ChunkyMonkey]

Thanks Plecosterone!

 

[Temo]

cool i'll try that