Black Diamond Blasting Sand and plants?

I have read that black Diamond Blasting Sand (BDBS) is a good cheap alternative to use as a substrate for plants . Does anyone have experience using this for a planted tank. I am redoing a 120 gal and plan on low tech lighting. The plants I'm considering are swords, anubius, java ferns and wisteria .
I am also considering using pool filter

 

I've used both and prefer BDBS. It looks nicer and is easy to plant in. Rooted plants will take well to it and it is good for bottom dwelling livestock such as loaches and corys. The only thing you'll have to consider is a substrate fert for your heavy rootfeeders (ie swords and crypts). Also, I would rinse out the sand prior to adding it into your tank. Good and cheap.

 

I've used both and prefer BDBS. It looks nicer and is easy to plant in. Rooted plants will take well to it and it is good for bottom dwelling livestock such as loaches and corys. The only thing you'll have to consider is a substrate fert for your heavy rootfeeders (ie swords and crypts). Also, I would rinse out the sand prior to adding it into your tank. Good and cheap.

Thanks for reply . What do you use under the BDBS as a fert . Do you dose with liquid or dry ferts?

 

Thanks for reply . What do you use under the BDBS as a fert . Do you dose with liquid or dry ferts?

I only use root tabs (Flourish tabs) for my swords and crypts. I push them into the sand. If you have enough livestock, your other stem or rhizome plants will take nutrients through the water column. I have a low tech tank and don't need to dose the water column. I'll try to post a picture of my tank for you. The jungle vals were the plants that really made a healthy impact on my tank. They uptake a lot of the nutrients and shade a lot of my other plants and have kept the black algae at bay since adding them.

 

I'll try to post a picture of my tank for you. The jungle vals were the plants that really made a healthy impact on my tank.

That would be appreciated. . Jungle Val is another plant I plan on using .

 

Here is a picture of my tank. It's around 4 years old and there are MTS in it, but you get the gist. The little white dots on the substrate are cucumber seeds. I obviously have to vacuum