[mitch p]

Hey guys I am currently trying to gather all the resources and information to upgrade from my 15g to my 75g. I have been noticing in a lot of tank journals that people will put sand on top of 2-3 inches of Aquasoil.

This got me to thinking. Using AquaSoil, sometimes with stem plants, I will accidentally plant the stem crown just a little too deep. Not often but it happens. And this causes the stem to rot a little at the bottom. On top of that I also have had a little problem with stems plants not wanting to stay down :icon_eek:.

I am wondering though, could topping with an inch or so of sand help prevent this? Is this one of the intended purposes of this? What exactly are the purposes of topping with sand? Any help would be great! Thanks!!!!

 

[bluestems]

I recently asked the same question for the same reason and was told that it's not a good idea, so I didn't do it.

A couple weeks ago though I went to the Wet Spot in Portland and discovered a show tank with ~1-1/2" of small gravel over aquasoil that looked well established and didn't seem to have any issue with the substrates combining. I asked a manager about it and he said it was ok as long as you don't vacuum deeply.

That said, my hc and plantings are rooting now and seem to be doing just fine in the aquasoil. It probably would have made it easier to establish though.

 

[ddrfreak_tung]

i've heard of soil but not aqua soil being topped with sand.

 

[Capsaicin_MFK]

i've heard of soil but not aqua soil being topped with sand.

AquaSoil is--after all--just expensive dirt. The best root systems I've ever seen on plants come from those in AquaSoil capped with something heavy to initially weigh the plant down.

 

[mitch p]

hmm so far we have a couple different viewpoints. Lets wait and see if more people will come chime in!!!