GRAVEL PROBLEMS

[vern753]

hi just found this site and was looking for some help. I have two tanks, a 36"x12"x18" which is a cold water tank which houses three large goldfish, two rosy barbs, one ghost koi, one green tench and two small algae eaters. the other tank is a 24"x12"x12" which is tropical and houses two kribensis. both tanks are planted with beginers type plants like amazon swords and some other stem plants( not sure on the names yet still got lots of reading to do).
My problem comes with the larger tank mainly regarding the substrate as it is quite a course gravel and the plants are really finding it had to root, the fact that the goldfish constantly move the gravel doesnt help much though. when i do manage to hold the plants with rocks they seem to grow quite well. i was just wondering if there is a way of introducing a new substrate under the gravel that may help to hold the plants a little better because i am getting really frustrated replacing uprooted plants to only find them floating again the day after.
i have no problems of this sort with the smaller tank as that has a fine sand in it. I just wish I would have knew more about planting when i set up the larger tank.

all help will be greatly appreciated thank you

[mralgae]

Hi vern753 welcome to PTF
There are a number of ways this can be done.
1. You can get small lead type weights from your lfs and attach to the bottom of each plant to hold them down.
2. You could use a small tub with holes punched in add some finer gravel or plant substrate plant the plant in it and bury the tub under your larger gravel. Don’t forget the likes of sword plants need to have their crowns “just above” the gravel or they may rot.

Hope this helps little for you.

[kotr]

To add further, try using those 4" pots that they use to sell annuals. If you need to, this way you can even add soil, if need be.