Is 8kg of sand too much for a 2ft tank?

[cowputer]

Hi bros,
I'm a newbie here, and I'm glad to be here to know you guys and learn from your mistakes and successes


I have just set up a 2ft tank and I threw it 8kg of substrate and 8 kg of sand. Do you think the amount of sand is too much for my tank because I'm concerned that the thick layer of sand will prevent the root from sinking into the substrate and deprived it from extracting the nutrient.


Thanks and hope to hear your advices soon so that I can take remedy action if anything goes wrong
Cheers,

[Adrain]

After long sand will sink through the substrate cause they are very fine. I read that up somewhere but I can't be 100% sure


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[Adrain]

But your tank looks great though


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[furyprix]

as long as you plant your plants deeper into the substrate layer, it should be okay? not sure whether it would affect the nutrients release from the substrate into the water column though. but 8kg sounds plenty..

[Adrain]

I don't think the roots will have any trouble growing through the substrate. I use gravel for my outdoor tank and I can see the roots spreading through any tiny space that's available.


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[cowputer]

Thanks bros Adrian and Fury for your replying faster than speed of light. I feel quite relieved to hear from you guys. I was kinda worried that I need to empty the tank to excate excess sand

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[Adrain]

Hahs I used 20kg of gravel for my 3ft.


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[Berny]

are you sure that's sand at the top layer? looks quite coarse, almost like gravel to me

[cowputer]

Hi Benny, so sorry my bad. I think it is gravel

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[thebaldingaquarist]

I think your plants will do ok with the height of the substrate.

Additional Information:
I had a tank that is 4 inches in front and 10 inches of substrate to the back. After maybe 4 months, you will see pockets of air trapped in the substrate level. this is indication of anaerobic reactions in the substrate.

you see, having too thick a substrate will make it difficult for oxygen to be diffused to the bacteria in the substrate, especially at the lower tiers. Bacteria that can survive on anaerobic reactions will then slowly populate the bottom layers of the substrate. this is all well and good, until the anaerobic reactions start producing hydrogen sulphide and other toxins, making it difficult or impossible for plant root system to extend that deep.

To circumvent this, a hobbyist can either
1. vacuum the substrate periodically to prevent buildup of the toxins
2. attempt to circulate the fluid system within the substrate by adding a substrate heater or a low performing under gravel filter.

regards..

[cowputer]

Thanks Eric, you must be a very technical guy cos it sounds very chim haha anyway very glad to hear your first statement for the remaining advices, not sure if i'm hardworking and have the skills to abide to it or not haha