Sand or water?

[MrMalta]

Hi.

I got a 38 gallon and was just wondering, I want to have a planted sand substrate, should I put the sand and plants in first and then water? Do a half and half perhaps?


Thanks.

 

[Purrbox]

Generally I find that it works best to add in the substrate and then add enough water to get a bit above the substrate maybe as much as an 1". Then I plant my foreground plants. Fill a little more. Plant the midground plants. Fill most of the rest of the way. Plant the rest of the plants. Top it off.

Everybody does it a little different, so with some experimentation you'll find what works for you.