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vigneshk
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 Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:24 am Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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| Can any one give me the name of the substrate that is best suited for Aquatic plants? I too have a sand substrate from a river basin. only 1 plant rooted and it's not going well. Please let me know other type of soil to use. If possible Name them. |
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superbsite
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| Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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Also...
Run a magnet in the sand and see if it sticks. If it doesn't then the Iron content is too low or not present.
There is another type of river sand which when rinsed is brownish.
This is available in construction shops and is high in Iron content. Can be used for Aquariums
Ive tested both the Gujarat sand and the brown river sand with a magnet and the Brown River Sand. Wins.
Cheers
Pio |
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Ram_a_rosi
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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| rohseq wrote (View Post):
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| Linelogic wrote (View Post):
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Irrespective of Sea Sand or River sand, plants will not do well in Sand. Sand is too fine for the roots to penetrate easily and they block flow of water ( oxygen ) properly to the roots.
Most of your plants' root will rot and the plant will perish slowly.
You need to ensure that the granules are at least 2-3 mm in size. Sieveing it to get only the desired size may be a good idea.
Prabhu
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I am currently using construction sand in my new planted aquarium and I must say that I am very pleased with the results. The sand does have a significant calcium content, but I have got good results in a small scale using citric acid drops as a buffer. Please note I have not used citric acid in the main tank, but I did it under controlled conditions.
Coming back t my main tank, the results are good.
However I have to agree with the others......WASHING IS ABSOLOUTELY VITAL. I got it done the easier way. I got one of the construction workers to wash it for me for Rs 100.  Even then I had to still wash the bloody thing mug by mug till the supernatant water was absolutely clear. Back breaking excercise. I had to wash nearly 3 big sacks for my 4.5x2x2. Lost 5 kilos. 
The final point is that Nature WILL do its best to survive in any condition. Just get the water conditions right, maintain good nutrient levels, go for CO2, plenty of light and a ton of prayer and things should be fine. It will definitely make you wise.
Wisdom = Experience + Knowledge.
I want to encourage you in this. Please see the attached pictures.
OH BY THE WAY..... do take a half glass of the sand in a glass, add water till the top of the glass and stir well. let it settle and then taste a bit of it on your tongue. (dont swallow). If its salty dont use it. 
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f6xLe__CLDBDtT0dsDQ51U4sMKNl1dBXhjpF4jC4uIM?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iEkT8ETIzPjK8iNzw4wyUE4sMKNl1dBXhjpF4jC4uIM?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/68QKEv17qAYwojXnN01SgU4sMKNl1dBXhjpF4jC4uIM?feat=directlink
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Sirf Ek chamach hi peena.  |
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sandeepraghuvanshi
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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| superbsite wrote (View Post):
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Also...
Run a magnet in the sand and see if it sticks. If it doesn't then the Iron content is too low or not present.
There is another type of river sand which when rinsed is brownish.
This is available in construction shops and is high in Iron content. Can be used for Aquariums
Ive tested both the Gujarat sand and the brown river sand with a magnet and the Brown River Sand. Wins.
Cheers
Pio
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Do you any links for this.
i don't think the iron in organic form will get attracted by magnet |
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Trayderji
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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OK......from the disscussion it seems the fine construction sand is not a good choice,
I am getting used Golden sand 2-3mm particles (which used to be available earlier) from a friend..
So shall I use it or go in for river sand (brown- red colour availabe in Aquanature- Borivali)
Need to decide between the two...........  |
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Nidhi
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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| Trayderji wrote (View Post):
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OK......from the disscussion it seems the fine construction sand is not a good choice,
I am getting used Golden sand 2-3mm particles (which used to be available earlier) from a friend..
So shall I use it or go in for river sand (brown- red colour availabe in Aquanature- Borivali)
Need to decide between the two...........
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You are confusing the point... 
The construction sand is one of the many kinds of river sand.. so you can use it as top layer.
Golden sand is no different from the construction sand, except it has smooth texture..  |
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Trayderji
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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| Nidhi wrote (View Post):
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| Trayderji wrote (View Post):
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OK......from the disscussion it seems the fine construction sand is not a good choice,
I am getting used Golden sand 2-3mm particles (which used to be available earlier) from a friend..
So shall I use it or go in for river sand (brown- red colour availabe in Aquanature- Borivali)
Need to decide between the two...........
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You are confusing the point...
The construction sand is one of the many kinds of river sand.. so you can use it as top layer.
Golden sand is no different from the construction sand, except it has smooth texture..
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Nidhi........the earlier sand I showed in Pics is very fine and the golden sand that I am talking about is 2-3mm granuled...... |
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Nidhi
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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Anil,
The normal process of using river sand is we sieve it as per our requirements, as you said 2-3 mm.
And for your info, the golden sand also needs to sieved. because the LFS guys don't do it for you.
ask your friend if he has sieved it or not, because normally any sand will grade itself after some time. Like the finer particles will start to sink down, leaving the bigger granules on top. which is what I believe, you have seen and think it is graded as 2-3 mm. |
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Trayderji
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Can I use this sand as planted substrate? |
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Thanks Nidhi.
seems your are clearing my most of the doubts......
so now how do I sieve the sand? if at all I have to do it myself. |
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