Any advice on growing in sand ?

I already grow a lot of things in Hydroponic
Use rockwool , rocks , shells .
Iv never tryed sand and so I’m told it shows better results how Eva I have very little understanding of sand interns of do I use natural sand or non toxic sand
How deep would I need the bed to be ?
Iv built tray bed with a water fall feeling system the water is circulating back in to a big water bowser then pumped back up to the water fall dripping system .
It’s in door at room temperature for 6 hours then the lights come on 2 x 600watt
Sodium vegetation bulbs , i control the humidity and by direct circulation fan and
70mph wind tunnel in between the 2 lights I keep the water temperature at 24 degrease 6.2 PH level before feed
cc level low.
I want to some marine corrals, some palm trees , bonsai, that type of thing .
If you have had any type of experience with growing in sand in pots or hyro no matter how big or small could you message if your findings and thoughts or results
Many thanks for reading I bet your all sick of me already asking a million questions all the time

 

Hi,

That all sounds a very eclectic mix of growing conditions !

Regarding sand, we have a freshwater tropical tank and the plants grow happily in tanks base layers of all sand and sand/gravel mix.
We use fine silica sand but see no reason why washed sharp sand would not work, its often mixed with soil to produce a more free draining medium.

What you need to be aware of when using an enclosed sand bed is that its lower layers can become Anerobic and cause problems if heavily disturbed.

The only problem with marine corals is the need for Salt Water which could cause severe problems if it mixed with the rest of your fresh water system.

Have also had marine corals for many years and unless you have lots of spare cash to throw at them, suggest you stick to freshwater livestock which can cover a lot of other creatures not just fish and a large variety of plants that will grow below and above the waterline.

We like to see pics as well !

 

@ricky101 yeah tell me about it iv 9 different setups in my house the misses hates me .
I’m gona take your advice on that and forget corals I was got in to try sand growing palms but after all the advice iv had I’m goin to stick to what I no best and put the sand that I brought in the sand pit at the local park all 7 bags of it thanks for replying and for your advice you may have just saved me a lot of money and head ache

 

Not sure what floats your boat, but below some pics of freshwater tanks growing plants which are allowed above the water level.

 

Are thank you, yeah I’ll have a crack at some of them I didn’t no there was plants that could go above water so now iv definitely gota have a go at some thanks again . Do you no how to like posts on here

 

Hi,

Just click on the icons at the bottom right of that post.


If you look out for the Planted Tank sites / tropical fish you can find quiet a few posts and pictures of such tanks, though you could make them more shallow ponds if needed.

eg Paludarium 75x45x45

 

Got ya thank you. Yeah iv had tropical fresh water tanks a lot but I put moss
In once and it took all the oxygen out the water I lost 2 fresh water parrots so I never bothered again , now iv still got the tank but nothing in it I might just use it to grow stuff and not put anyfish in it lol

 

@ricky101
I wonder if you can help me , this about another project of mine
Project airing cupboard:
witch consists of 4x elephant plant bulbs 40 palms 4 different types seeds
I’ll send you photos .
Iv got temperature 25*
Humidity 80%
Ph level 6.2
They have been in there 4 weeks
Still no change to any of them , there all from different sellers so I don’t understand what takin them so long do you have any ideas.

 

@Guy Greening You might be being a bit impatient with your seeds they can take a couple of months to germinate. This might be of interest Germinating Palm Seeds - by Stefan Mifsud

 

@NigelJ thank you,your probably right by the looks of that it’s because I’m used to growing things that have fast results I guess I’ll wait then
Thanks for replying

 

I really should learn to read things and check sizes before I buy stuff brought a 500watt led light thinking I can was buying a 50watt I thought probably around 20cm by 20 cm you will see from the picture just how rong I got it but I did at least get a bonsai tree

 

Just out of interest Nigel, is the Palm Centre shut down now do you know, That all looks like it hasn't been updated for years.

 

@pete The link I posted earlier was to an old web site, the current website is here The European Palm Society The Palm Centre is in the south west London area and it's still open website here The Palm Centre - Palm trees and other exotic plants online
Confession time though: I'm not really attracted to palms, cordylines etc which is probably a good thing as my garden would probably kill them in a matter of months.

 

Ahhh yes should have looked myself, I did go to the palm centre many years ago.

Interested in why your garden would kill them?