New Substrate from aquariumplants.com

[sgrosenb]

Hi there,

I just spoke with Mark at aquariumplants.com, and he stated that they just started making their regular substrate in two new colors - tan and red.

I've been looking forward to getting a good substrate that is also tan, so I am excited.

However, I must ask (I'm a newbie to plants, so this may sound stupid):

What is wrong with regular sand, like Carib Sea sand? That stuff looks so nice - why not just use that?

Thanks,

[discolove]

Plant substrate contains the nutrients that many aquatic plants need to thrive whereas sand and gravel do not. There however are many plants that will do just fine in sand or gravel.

[GrillMaster]

You can use sand but would just have to add your own nutrients (jobe sticks, root tabs) to the root system of the plants such as sword plants. Not familiar with Carb Sea sand. Alot of people use pool filter sand. It is pretty cheap.

[KDodds]

If the CaribSea sand is argonitic, it will buffer pH to around 7.8 and raise alk/KH in the process. Even if this is okay for the fish you're keeping, plants really don't like it much.

[Vieira]

I love sand in my fresh water tanks but I think the problem with sand and plants is that the sand suferkats the roots. Sorry for my spelling.

[GrillMaster]

Never had any problems with sand suffocating the roots on any plants. IME plants love sand! :)

[Apistomaster]

Sand has always worked well for me too but it is difficult to argue against choosing a substrate that provides a continuous source of essential trace elements but regardless of what you choose supplemental substrate fertilizers are recommended.

Pool Filter sand must be used with some caution as it's fine grain size inhibits good gas exchange by restricting the flow of oxygenated water much beyond the upper 1 inch layer. This can be overcome by regular hydrovaccing of the sand but in general with pool sand it's best tho use it either in a thinner 1-2 inch thick layer or blend it with the specialized plant substrate. Malayan Trumpet Snails can be helpful in promoting the flow of fresh water into the deeper zones of the substrate although they can also reach nuisance proportions.
Another solution when using deep fine sand is to run substrate pipes with holes drilled at intervals on the bottom side against the bottom glass. Then use a HydroSponge IV or equal fitted with a power head to drive fresh water throughout the substrate where it will constantly send fresh water into the base of the substrate.
I used some fine river sand in my 125 gal Blue Discus tank and equipped it with the descibed system and it has worked flawlessly. No dead zones of anoxic sand that allow anaerobic bacteria to break down wastes into hydrogen sulfide or methane.

Here are some preinstallation photos of my system.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/apistomaster/125%20gal%20Wild%20Discus/125WildDiscus0010.jpg
This is where I connect the sponge filte-power head to the underground water distribution system.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/apistomaster/125%20gal%20Wild%20Discus/125WildDiscus0008.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/apistomaster/125%20gal%20Wild%20Discus/125WildDiscus0011.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/apistomaster/125%20gal%20Wild%20Discus/125WildDiscus0012.jpg
I happened to use a terraced system so I have a deep substrate in the rear half of this 125 gal tank and the front half only has a thin layer of sand.