Gex Soil and fine sand

[angtc11]

Hi Bros

Have a question on planted tanks. I will be using Gex soil mainly for my planted tank. However, I would like to add some fine white sand at some places of the tank, similar to attachment.

1) Would it be very difficult to manage the layer of white sand?
2) Do I need to put a separator between the soil and white sand, if so, what material is suitable?

Thanks in advance

[Shadow]

it is diificult, usually due to algae on the sand but it is do able. Seperator is not necessary but if you want you can try rock.

[angtc11]

Hi Shadow

Thanks, i was thinking of a separator cos i thought i might want to remove it if it did not work out.

The separator I was thinking of was not on the surface, its more like I will put a layer of soil over the whole tank bottom. Then put something to lay the 'path' of sand (maybe a sheet of plastic?) on top of the gex soil, with the white sand on top of the sheet so that I can remove the sand if need be.

Does it make sense?

For the surface, was thinking of small rocks tied with moss or riccia to line the 'path'

Saw some article that stated that Corys like fine sand and thought it will be interesting.

[gemo82]

Even with a piece of plastic sheet, it will be difficult to remove the white sand once you scape it. With gentle current and no messy fish, it is possible to keep the separation. But once you have some bottom dwelling creatures in there, hurhur .... Pieces of the GEX soil will "litter" the sand and it is pretty obvious since it is white. You need to be very patient and diligent to pick them up one by one every few days to maintain.

I am having this problem now, and worse, my separation is across a slope.

[angtc11]

Oh, shucks, I was intending to put it there for the benefit of the corys...

The other thing is I read that the sand would filter down the soil since they are smaller. Do you face this problem too?

[gemo82]

Yes!! But sand in soil is ok for me, aesthetically... Just not soil ON sand....

[angtc11]

Thanks, will try putting the sand over the soil. Any tips for maintenance?

[gemo82]

I am not an expert nor successful with this, so why am I the only one advising or replying?

Maintenance wise, if you are referring to white sand turning green due to algae, can try shifting the sand once in a while.

For the soil on sand part, I not too sure.... I am thinking maybe a vertical separator along the boundaries, using transparent plastic sheets, extending a little above the sand level. This will prevent the soil from shifting over, but I am not sure if the transparent sheet will be visible in water or not. If not visible, then it may work. If visible, it may work, but ugly lah.....