Just so you know you do not have to push the plants all the way down to the soil when planting. The roots will grow down to it. Also be sure when planting stem plants to take them out of their bunch, cut about 1/2 to 1 inch off the bottom of the stems and plant with about a fingers space between each stem. Yes, plant each stem individually. For plants like swords and crypts cut roots down to about 2 to 2-1/2 inches before planting. Plus make darn sure you put any swords or crypts exactly where you want them. In a soil tank you do not have the option of playing move the swords/crypts or you make a mess in a soil tank. Swords grow enormous root systems and crypts get fairly decent sized ones, so plant them and leave them be. Stem plants are easy to move in a dirted tank as they root shallow and will have roots in the sand. Since you have a 2 inch layer of sand you may want to eventually get some root fert tablets. And, lastly, in a dirt tank you will have alot of excess nutrients in the first weeks, getting some floating plants and some fast growing plants will greatly reduce excess nutrients. If you can get some water sprite to plant it will grow like a weed and really suck alot of nutrients out of the water. I even used it in my 220g for about 4 months in the beginning and am glad I did. Hope this info helps.