Substrate help, PLEASE......

[New Keeper]

I am still thinking about how to set up my new tank. I'll start by saying what I want. Half sand, half gravel substrate with plants in the gravel and the sand left free for a bristlenose plec and some corys. I have been advised to use osmocote and plant ferts underneath but i'm worried about doing this as the bristlenoses will dig the sand up and i'm concerned that it wont be safe. Do I need to use the the osmocote etc only under part of he tank and lock it away as much as I can or do I need to go and buy the proper aquarium fertilised substrate.

Thanks for any advice

 

[Irene0100]

I dont put fert under the sand or gravel, if I need plant fert then I add a liquid additive such as easycarbo.
you will find over time that the gravel and sand will mix up, so consider using all sand? i have plants in sand or in pots. do not use too thick a layer of sand - 1 cm max.
the shops often advise more but you can get problems with too deep sand.

 

[New Keeper]

Thanks, will a cm be enought for a plec to have a good root around in ?

 

[Lornek8]

Plecs don't often root around in sand. Not to the extent that other bottom dwellers like corys, loaches or whiptails might. They may displace a bit of substrate to clear or make caves but for the most part they leave the substrate alone.

 

[Irene0100]

all my plecs have well less than 1cm sand and they are happy ( well I guess they are happy or they would not breed.)

 

[bigbird]

i agree, I also only have 1-2cm of silica sand in my tank. I have floating plants and Java fern, which do not need planting as such. In my other tank, however I have Amazon swords, but put them in terracotta pots, filled with aquatic amazonian potting mix. Adds some colour and are easy to move if needed. Just a thought. cheers jk :thumbup: