[Mud]

I was recently told about panted tanks that do not involve/use substrate (sand/gravel)? What would plants root in? Has anyone done this?

 

[Goodwood]

Well... nothing....

Bare-bottom tanks usually use epiphytic or plants that do not require substrate, such as java fern, anubias, mosses, floating plants. These are typically just attached to hardscape via thread or super glue.

Technically, if a plant is getting its required nutrients from the water column, the main purpose of a substrate would be for anchoring. Some stem plants will grow quite rapidly just floating at the surface.

 

[buggyInteger]

I've seen planted filter foam backgrounds in bare bottom tanks.

 

[minorhero]

I was recently told about panted tanks that do not involve/use substrate (sand/gravel)? What would plants root in? Has anyone done this?

There is also a type of tank (I forget the name, it's japanese) that involves putting decorative pots in an aquarium and filling the pots with substrate and plants and growing them only in the pots. You could leave the rest of the tank bare bottom if you wanted to, but honestly there is not much reason to go bare bottom and a few reasons not to.

 

[ThreadFin]

Very interested in the "panted tank!" Post pictures! Sorry couldn't resist!

 

[*Ci*]

There is also a type of tank (I forget the name, it's japanese) that involves putting decorative pots in an aquarium and filling the pots with substrate and plants and growing them only in the pots. You could leave the rest of the tank bare bottom if you wanted to, but honestly there is not much reason to go bare bottom and a few reasons not to.

I would love to know that Japanese name, if you can remember it.
I think there are huge benefits to bare bottom tanks for some fish… discus and fancy goldfish for sure. I did this years ago for a 125g goldfish tank - anubias on driftwood and potted (eco complete) crinum and crypts. It was super easy to clean, and both fish and plants thrived:

Today, I have two large tanks set up the same, except I have a thin (1/2”) layer of fine gravel in one and sand in the other on the bottom. I don’t have any fish now that need to be in pristine conditions, but the thin layer is quick and easy to vacuum thoroughly without disturbing any plants. It is not a look to suit everyone’s taste, but I am enjoying the tanks and their ease of maintenance more than when they were fully planted in aquasoil, high tech tanks.

 

[HillstreamBiotoper]

I know this is another question, but it has to do with this topic:
Could you have a "bare bottom tank" that has carpeting plants? What if you started with a lot of seeds at the bottom? I was thinking that maybe all of their roots clinging together along the bottom might act as a substrate almost, creating some biological filtration and a place for more roots to root into.

 

[ThreadFin]

If you get it to grow I'm guessing it will start to float at some point.

 

[HillstreamBiotoper]

If you get it to grow I'm guessing it will start to float at some point.

I didn't think of that. You're right, I'm sure.