Can plants thrive in just sand? Or do they need root tabs?

Hey guys!! I am planing a 10 gal. Heavily planted betta/snail/Cory cat tank, and I was wondering, can plants thrive in juts sand? Or do they need root tabs? If plants do need root tabs, do you guys recommend any specific brand, of root tabs? Also, is there any cheap sand that plants thrive in?

(I know that Seachem makes a Gravel/sand mix, that plants grow really well in, but that stuff is so expensive!!! Thanks in advance! Also, would you guys need a list of plants I am hoping to grow, in order to decide if I need root tabs or not?

 

I use BDBS and thrive C caps and thrive complete and my plants take over.

 

I also use BDBS (Black Diamond Blasting Sand) with Root tabs. I use the Seachem line. The tabs are good for 3 months.

Some plants like ferns, moss and Anubis are not planted in the sand but tied to a solid object and therefore do not use tabs. Plant lights are also important for many plants as are water column ferts. It all depends on the plants you wish to keep.

BDBS is at Tractor Supply Co. I use the med coarse.

 

And I also use Black Diamond Blasting Sand (BDBS) in my planted tanks and am very happy with it. I fertilize the water column for all plants and give Seachem Florish root tabs to the root feeding plants.

$8.99/50 lbs, medium grit 20/40, from Tractor Supply Co. Good stuff.

 

Hey guys!! I am planing a 10 gal. Heavily planted betta/snail/Cory cat tank, and I was wondering, can plants thrive in juts sand? Or do they need root tabs? If plants do need root tabs, do you guys recommend any specific brand, of root tabs? Also, is there any cheap sand that plants thrive in?

It really depends on what plants you're keeping that doesn't require any roots tabs. For instance, rhizome plants such as java fern and anubias do not require roots tabs. Mosses and floating plants also do not require root tabs. I've also grown water wisteria in sand substrate with no root tabs or fertilization and the plant is still growing and producing new leaves.

I've used pool filter sand on my tanks. The plants that I am currently growing on sand are amazon swords, dwarf sagittaria, water wisteria, cryptocoryne beckettiI "petchii," and lucky bamboo. As for root tabs, I used Osmocote Plus with size 00 gelatin capsules. Cheapest and most DIY root tabs ever thought of.

 

How about pool filter sand? It is very cheap, and I wanted kind of a white/brown color, as my subtrait! So do you guys use/like the FLUVAL brand root tabs?

 

How about pool filter sand? It is very cheap, and I wanted kind of a white/brown color, as my subtrait! So do you guys use/like the FLUVAL brand root tabs?

I use that also. I get mine at ACE hardware.

Would you like to see photos of the two sands in my aquariums?Seachem root tabs.

 

Yes please!! Diamond blasting sand is typically black, am I correct? I really would like to see a picture of the pool filter sand!

 

I use pool filter sand in all my tanks along with Thrive and flourish root tabs and flourish excel iron and potassium and all my plants do very well in it... Ill also post some pics if you like. I get my PFS from a pool supply place for $10 for a 50# bag

 

Yes yes yes please!! I would love to see pictures!

 

Here you go!! Th tank with the cooler under it is my experiment 29 outside tank that has organic soil with a sand cap hoping for warmer weather soon to get more plants in it

 

Yes please!! Diamond blasting sand is typically black, am I correct? I really would like to see a picture of the pool filter sand!

Here you go

It must be said that I make extensive use of the Seachem line and have plant lights.

1. The 150 tall. BDBS.



2. From a 55. Pool filter sand.



3.



4.



5.

 

I honestly think any rooted plant can thrive in sand. I also swear by Black Diamond Blasting Sand and use oscmocote tabs. I bought the tabs on Ebay from a seller that is very cheap and will continue to get my supply from.

IMAG1170

• Sergeant Pepper
• Jan 17, 2019

 

How about pool filter sand? It is very cheap, and I wanted kind of a white/brown color, as my subtrait! So do you guys use/like the FLUVAL brand root tabs?

Nope. I chose the DIY route. Osmocote Plus and size 00 gel caps.

 

Wow! Thank you guys!! I really like the look of that pool filter sand!

 

And here are some pics of BDBS. I especially like its aesthetic when paired with a black background, making plant and fish colors pop.

One benefit of a darker substrate is that it doesn't show diatoms, algae, and waste the way light substrates do. But both colors can look great.

Tank10g

• JenC
• Oct 13, 2018

Tank6g

• JenC
• Oct 13, 2018
• 4

 

Thanks!! Lol, I love the cat!

I think I’m going to go with the FLUVAL brand root tabs, sense everyone seems to like/use them!

 

I think I’m going to go with the FLUVAL brand root tabs, sense everyone seems to like/use them!

Fluval or flourish?

 

FLUVAL.

Edit: I meant Seachem flourishe

 

Thanks!! Lol, I love the cat!

FLUVAL.

Edit: I meant Seachem flourishe

Those are the tabs I use and I have no complaints. My plants really perk up when I give them.

Just BTW some people (myself included) break root tabs into halves or pieces. I use a half or full tab under big plants (tiger lotus, tall Amazon swords) but put pieces throughout the substrate underneath small dwarf sags or s. repens.

 

Ok!! How does this plant list sound.....


Amazon Sword
Java Fern
Anacharis
Crypts? What are theses, are they easy to care for?
Dwarf Hair Grass

Are all of these plant relatively easy to keep.? And do any of you guys have them!

 

Ok!! How does this plant list sound.....


Amazon Sword
Java Fern
Anacharis
Crypts? What are theses, are they easy to care for?
Dwarf Hair Grass

Are all of these plant relatively easy to keep.? And do any of you guys have them!

Yes I have them all except the crypts... their all pretty easy to keep with basic ferts good luck!!

 

Thanks!! Does Java Fern grow best attached to driftwood? I know Anubus plants do, but I’m not shure about Java fern.

 

Ok!! How does this plant list sound.....


Amazon Sword
Java Fern
Anacharis
Crypts? What are theses, are they easy to care for?
Dwarf Hair Grass

Are all of these plant relatively easy to keep.? And do any of you guys have them!

I have all but the anacharis.

The fern is a column-feeder, taking its nutrients from the water, not the substrate. You don't bury it but instead keep its rhizome above the substrate, tied or glued to rocks or wood. It can get tall!

Dwarf hairgrass likes higher light. I think it's kind of messy to trim (grass cuttings everywhere!) and will probably remove mine at some point.

Crypts often melt after they're planted but should bounce back, so don't give up on them too soon.

Java moss is a fun, easy plant that can look really nice attached to driftwood. I don't know what's in your tank but it's my cherry shrimps' favorite plant.

 

Ok!! How about moss balls? Are they easy to maintain?

 

Ok!! How does this plant list sound.....


Amazon Sword
Java Fern
Anacharis
Crypts? What are theses, are they easy to care for?
Dwarf Hair Grass

Are all of these plant relatively easy to keep.? And do any of you guys have them!

Most if not all cryptocoryne species are easy to care for.

Ok!! How about moss balls? Are they easy to maintain?

Moss balls are really easy to keep.

 

Do you just plop it into the tank? I am talking about the most ball.

 

Do you just plop it into the tank? I am talking about the most ball.

Yep! Once in a while you need to periodically move the ball around.

 

Do you just plop it into the tank? I am talking about the most ball.

Periodically gently roll them between your palms (like you're making a meatball) to help them keep their round shape, and turn them over now and then so it's not always the same side facing lights.