what kind of foreground plant can grow on sand?

**Berny** · 26th Apr 2013, 09:32

Been wondering about this for awhile now, cant seem to find any info online though. Do bear in mind that i got a thick layer of sand (around 5cm) and got some loaches and bichir that will stir the sand regularly (but i still stir the sand while doing my regular tank maintenance by digging it with my fingers to prevent trapped air bubbles).

Considering planting plants so that the sand cant be disturbed so often and therefore i do not have to dig around the sand

**felix_fx2** · 26th Apr 2013, 10:35

does it look to look nice?

you can Tennlus or abit of hairgrass....
can i know why you want to dig in the 1st place?

**Berny** · 26th Apr 2013, 10:44

I've been reading around that bb actually produce some gases that are toxic to fishes in large amount, by digging and shifting the sand around, I'm hoping that those gases can be released instead of being trapped beneath the sandbed. The dig last week had some bubbles coming out from few corners so I'm afraid my loathes my dig on one of those gas mine if I neglect it

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**jemswira** · 26th Apr 2013, 14:27

You are probably talking about hydrogen sulphide, produced by the anaerobic bacteria that grow if your sand bed is deep enough. You shouldn't worry too much about that since if its bubbling out the gas is escaping into the atmosphere. Did you smell the gas? H2S smells like rotting eggs. Not that many people know what that smells like.

My e. tenellus is doing well on sand. So are some crypts. If you wanted you could always get those clay fert balls and bury them there? Or to save $$, iron nails.

**Berny** · 26th Apr 2013, 14:40

dont really like the looks of e. tenellus (searched image from google, and looks like plain grass). as for the escaped gas, im not sure what gas is that, didnt really go sniff around the tank when the bubbles escape. But another question, if i have a carpet plant (considering dwarf hairgrass or putting in some moss attached to rocks and pray that it spreads out), do i still have to go dig around the sand during my maintainence?

**jemswira** · 26th Apr 2013, 14:51

Well ok then. Hair grass works too I guess.
I wouldn't dig around. You'll be introducing the anaerobic bacteria to toxic oxygen. Some people try not to disturb the substrate as much as possible thanks to that.

**Berny** · 26th Apr 2013, 14:56

i dont want to disturb subtrate as well because fishes will be stressed (especially clown loach, losing their color so quickly), but im just afraid that one unlucky guy happen to dig on a gas mine and there goes everyone in the tank

**jemswira** · 26th Apr 2013, 15:04

Shouldn't be a problem. If it bubbles out the amount of time that it spends in contact with the water is minimal before exiting, so very little will dissolve into the water.

**felix_fx2** · 26th Apr 2013, 17:07

Originally Posted by jemswira

You are probably talking about hydrogen sulphide, produced by the anaerobic bacteria that grow if your sand bed is deep enough. You shouldn't worry too much about that since if its bubbling out the gas is escaping into the atmosphere. Did you smell the gas? H2S smells like rotting eggs. Not that many people know what that smells like.

My e. tenellus is doing well on sand. So are some crypts. If you wanted you could always get those clay fert balls and bury them there? Or to save $$, iron nails.

Iron nails.... you remind me of a friend. who sort of retired from the aquascape scene

**jemswira** · 26th Apr 2013, 18:10

In a good way or bad way?

**felix_fx2** · 26th Apr 2013, 19:18

the good at heart but orthodox method. hehe....
nails and paperclips lol....

but i recall him best for his love in DIY....

**Shadow** · 26th Apr 2013, 22:51

I do not think adding nails and paperclips will help. Iron in the water will form iron oxide (rust) which is not for plant metabolism. Plants require chelate iron.

**jemswira** · 27th Apr 2013, 00:18

Hmm. I remember reading something from somewhere that the plants roots will create a localized environment with a low pH that will get the iron into a suitable form. Let me find that thread.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=122250
There you go. I don't know how true that is cause I haven't really dug up my nails to see but well it seems to be doing well for my crypts/valls.
All this is anecdotal evidence so take with a pinch of non-marine salt

**Shadow** · 27th Apr 2013, 05:05

interesting, maybe it does work

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