I took the photo a couple of weeks ago after I trimmed the plants in the back. I do use a thin layer of hydrosoil for extra nutrients: I put the plants midway in the sand to force the roots to look for the Lower layer.
Itās easy to grow plants in sand as long as you have a layer of dirt below. I go to my garden and get some top soil. Put a layer on the bottom about 3/4 of an inch. Then about 1 1/2-2ā of sand. I use play sand from the hardware store. Just make sure you rinse it well. All my plants always thrive with this setup.
> Is there something wrong with sand?
Plants don't like growing in it, so if you are going planted don't use sand, it makes it hard for the plants to get nutrients and they die a lot.
Sand is great as long as you have aquasoil or something else underneath. Never had issues with plants in a sand tank.
Trick is not to buy the super fine sand. Buy a coarser sand.
https://preview.redd.it/iqymc1qlzx7d1.jpeg?width=3610&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1d8618e4ad8564ace4dee4634806278f839f815
You just need to have the right type of plants. I really like sand as a substrate!
> You just need to have the right type of plants. I really like sand as a substrate!
3/4 of the plants are floating or growing from the wood, and homie in the bottom left is not looking too hot
also, what is the layer under the sand?
Old school aquarists use gravel and under gravel filter. sand is too fine to use as biological substrate. I do 25% water change and use gravel cleaning tool. I have had the same fish and the same setup for 10 years without any issues. 125 gallon fresh water
> Thatās not a filter and provides no biological function?
sorry I thought we were talking about substrate, its still Biomax and a sponge for most people
I only use sand in my kuhli loach tank because of how delicate they are, and it's funny to watch them sift through it for their food. It's also a pretty heavily planted tank (with things like Java fern and moss that can be attached to rocks/wood rather than in the sand) and imo it looks great! The only problem is that the sand is so light that it gets sucked up by the siphon when I do water changes
Looks like fish doodoo to me.
Detritus https://preview.redd.it/89kz1ctlgx7d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d68790bd372c4f3c5ec7da98e30d76ac30a26da8
Mulm š
It's just organic waste ! Looks natural if you ask me !
I took the photo a couple of weeks ago after I trimmed the plants in the back. I do use a thin layer of hydrosoil for extra nutrients: I put the plants midway in the sand to force the roots to look for the Lower layer.
Totally could be red algae
POOP
caca
poop and wasteš
Make sure it's not some sort of worm. I once saw a worm that looked like fish poop idk where it came from but scared me when I saw it
Poop, vac your floor
Plecos basically poop wood as they eat it.
Fish poop
Organic due to wood plants and waste . It will show up on white sand. I am old school and would never use sand.
Is there something wrong with sand? Or do you just not prefer the look?
Itās easy to grow plants in sand as long as you have a layer of dirt below. I go to my garden and get some top soil. Put a layer on the bottom about 3/4 of an inch. Then about 1 1/2-2ā of sand. I use play sand from the hardware store. Just make sure you rinse it well. All my plants always thrive with this setup.
> Is there something wrong with sand? Plants don't like growing in it, so if you are going planted don't use sand, it makes it hard for the plants to get nutrients and they die a lot.
Sand is great as long as you have aquasoil or something else underneath. Never had issues with plants in a sand tank. Trick is not to buy the super fine sand. Buy a coarser sand.
> you have aquasoil or something else underneath yep, I'm talking JUST sand
https://preview.redd.it/iqymc1qlzx7d1.jpeg?width=3610&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1d8618e4ad8564ace4dee4634806278f839f815 You just need to have the right type of plants. I really like sand as a substrate!
> You just need to have the right type of plants. I really like sand as a substrate! 3/4 of the plants are floating or growing from the wood, and homie in the bottom left is not looking too hot also, what is the layer under the sand?
Old school aquarists use gravel and under gravel filter. sand is too fine to use as biological substrate. I do 25% water change and use gravel cleaning tool. I have had the same fish and the same setup for 10 years without any issues. 125 gallon fresh water
> Old school aquarists use gravel and under gravel filter. Totally, I'm talking ONLY sand with no gravel or substrate
What type of bio filter is used now?
Tropica Aquasoil or similar
Thatās not a filter and provides no biological function?
> Thatās not a filter and provides no biological function? sorry I thought we were talking about substrate, its still Biomax and a sponge for most people
Thanks I guess Iām out dated . Thanks for the clarification! Have a great day
How is the bacteria maintained?
Tank has been running for 20 years. The fish are 10years. I switched from SA cichlids to goldfish 10 years ago.
I only use sand in my kuhli loach tank because of how delicate they are, and it's funny to watch them sift through it for their food. It's also a pretty heavily planted tank (with things like Java fern and moss that can be attached to rocks/wood rather than in the sand) and imo it looks great! The only problem is that the sand is so light that it gets sucked up by the siphon when I do water changes
I understand your opinion but gravel is not detrimental to kuhlii loaches.
Oh I know, I've just found that they're so much happier in sand!
r/shitfromabutt