To soil or not to soil?

[Deer]

Hi guys,
planning to start up a low tech 30l nano cube within the next week or so. The main plants I'm planning to use will be mainly anubias nana/petite and java fern with a few different mosses. Possibly with some Marsilea Minuta scattered around but not a main focus.
I am so sick of planting only to decide my scape could do with a tweak and it results in upset soil swirling everywhere! Do you think it would suit using a sand/gravel only substrate?[DOUBLEPOST=1398178144][/DOUBLEPOST](Also just read about using a "soil retainer" or sheet of plastic mesh over the soil. A good idea or not?)

 

[mikka23]

I'm sure there will be much better responses but surely if you are mainly interested in anubias, java fern and moss then what is the need for a soil substrate? If they are attached to wood/rock surely the water column ferts are more important.

 

[Deer]

Those were my thoughts, plus I'm not overly interested in creating any sort of carpet or lawn. Still fairly new to serious aquascaping so wanted to get some 2nd opinions!

 

[BigTom]

Yeah i can't see a whole lot of point in bothering with soil if you're mainly going to be attaching plants to hardscape.

 

[sciencefiction]

I would definitely throw into the mix a fast growing plant of some sort. It's best to have both slow and fast growers to have a "balanced" tank free of algae, at least it's my anecdotal experience.

And on another note, I have found out that anubias grows way better when the roots are let grow inside the soil, keeping the rhizome above the soil of course. It loves it that way.

 

[Andy D]

And on another note, I have found out that anubias grows way better when the roots are let grow inside the soil, keeping the rhizome above the soil of course. It loves it that way.

I find this too. I stick my Anubias in the substrate with the Rhizome exposed. These plants have always done better than those attached to rocks/wood.

 

[Deer]

Hi guys, thinking about getting the Seachem Flourite Black Sand substrate as it doesn't look too messy along with (possibly) micranthemum umbrosum or another fast growing plant to combat any algae. I currently have "something" (water wisteria possibly) growing out of my current tank which I might pop in at the back, whatever it is seems to enjoy growing with leaves emersed with lots of roots in the water so I suspect that might be what is currently keeping my tank algae free as all I have in there is the above mentioned plants and marsilea crenata.