mekong sand over amazonia?

[bluestems]

Can I use 1/4" or so of mekong sand over amazonia substrate?

I'll be planting dwarf hair grass, hc and possibly another plant.

[somewhatshocked]

First: Why would you put sand over expensive ADA Amazonia?

That out of the way - sand will eventually settle beneath it.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

First: Why would you put sand over expensive ADA Amazonia?

I've heard the new amazonia II muddies the water. I used to use aquarium sand/gravel over soil to keep it from muddying the water, and wondered if I could do the same with this. I also prefer the look of the sand as the top layer.

[aweeby]

Why not just use regular soil if you are going to cap it?
And, why not just use pool filter sand? That's way cheaper.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by aweeby

Why not just use regular soil if you are going to cap it?

I'm using ADA because of the composition not for aesthetics.

[tropicalmackdaddy]

Originally Posted by bluestems

I'm using ADA because of the composition not for aesthetics.

Im curious, whats in mekong sand thats not in regular?

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by tropicalmackdaddy

Im curious, whats in mekong sand thats not in regular?

Nothing, that I'm aware of. The soil was the reference in the quote.



Has anyone used sand over ada soil? I'd appreciate feedback on that.

[somewhatshocked]

People don't cap pelletized soil products with sand, typically, because the sand will settle beneath the soil.

Mineralized Top Soil or standard organic top soil that people use works just as well as the ADA products if you plan to cap. Otherwise, ADA products are best used as the only substrate in the tank (additives of your choice not included).

Originally Posted by bluestems

Has anyone used sand over ada soil? I'd appreciate feedback on that.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

People don't cap pelletized soil products with sand, typically, because the sand will settle beneath the soil.

I guess I thought it could work as ADA recommends capping the normal type aquasoil with the powder type. Wouldn't the powder type also settle?

[tropicalmackdaddy]

Originally Posted by bluestems

Nothing, that I'm aware of. The soil was the reference in the quote.



Has anyone used sand over ada soil? I'd appreciate feedback on that.

Lol oops thought you meant the sand

[somewhatshocked]

Nope. Sand is heavier.

Feel free to search through the forum to see instances of sand settling beneath lighter substrates like Aquasoil and larger substrates like pea gravel.

Originally Posted by bluestems

I guess I thought it could work as ADA recommends capping the normal type aquasoil with the powder type. Wouldn't the powder type also settle?

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

Nope. Sand is heavier.

Gotcha... that makes sense now.

Here's the tank as it is now:




I really like the look of the sand at the base of the stones, so I think what I'll end up doing is splitting the substrate with the sand in the front and in the middle of the tank, between the stones, and the aquasoil in the back towards the front at the sides.


Thanks for the help in talking me through the thought process =)

[bluestems]

ps- I need to get the rest of my equipment soon so I'll stop over analyzing my aquascape.

[somewhatshocked]

I think it looks great as it is!