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MelonHead · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject: Plants in Silica Sand?

Ok plant people...

When I do find my big tank, I'm going to use a 90/10 silica sand/gravel mix for substrate. I'm completely new to sand bottoms, so I have no clue how to deal with plants in sand.

What would you recommend for a substrate additive and/of fertilizer with white silica?

Anything else I should know about plants & sand?

mbovinet · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:32 pm Post subject:

Sorry I wish I could help. I use sand on most of my tanks and love it. But I use no plants, sorry. Good luck with it

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Frontosa Anyone????????????

mpp · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:49 pm Post subject:

Gary,
My crypts and vals seem to like it very much. I don't have any other plants in the silica sand tanks except for java moss which doesn't really count.
regards
mike

MelonHead · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:44 pm Post subject:

Mike:

Do you have any other substrate under the silica? Do you use fertalizer etc?

mpp · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:48 pm Post subject:

In the planted 180, there is regular old pea gravel. I use PMDD and Co2 in that tank. In the 75, there is eco-complete and I also use CO2 (albeit DIY which has got to be improved) and flourish supplements. I use root tabs (flourish and plantabs (aqualabs)) in the 125 for the vals & crypts but nothing else and the plants are thriving... well at least it seems like that to me.
best
mike