Freshwater and sand?

Question
I have a few questions to ask about using sand in a freshwater aquarium. First off, I have a sailfin pleco and wanted to know if he would be okay with sand as a substrate? Second I have live plants and i was wondering if it would be better to pot them or to have another more solid base substrate like gravel under the sand?

Answer
Hi Ryan
Pleco will do fine with the sand.  I have sand in almost all my tanks, and the plecos and other fish have no problems with it at all.  In fact, it's better for a lot of fish like cory cats and loaches, those that have barbells on their mouths.  

I have some live plants in a few of my tanks as well.  I'm not a plant expert though, I'm actually surprised they're still alive....but I just have mine buried in the sand.  You'll obviously need to have it a little deeper where the plants are, but an inch or so is fine.  You could pot the plants as well if you wanted to, or use a gravel base, or the fluorite-I think it's called.  One thing with sand though, once a month you should stir it up, especially in deeper areas over an inch.  I just use the handle end of my green net, and run it through the sand.  Some kind of toxic gas can build up under the sand.  But like I said, just stirring it up once a month prevents that from happening.  I've had sand in most of my tanks for going on about 6-7 years now, no problems.  

Hope that helps and good luck!

Christy