When setting a planted tank one needs to put some sort of substrate under the gravel. Can I divide the substrate and gravel by a net so when I want to change the substrate I don't mix them together. Will this affact the plants' roots? The holes of the net have to be a bit small so that the gravel will not pass.

Hi tropicalf,

I have used only florite in my new setup. It can be left uncovered...and it is even better like this since foreground plants will benefit much more due to their short roots.

If you are to cover the florite because of economic reasons, then you may cover it (or even mix it). The net will do no harm as water can flow undisturbed between the granules; however, you will have problems when uprooting plants!

No because I want to put gravel on it and also sand ( like the planted setup Akkwarjumalfa has) I think he has sand on top of the gravel. Will the roots have problems going down through the net?

A net with small holes might even 'clog' and deprive the layer of gravel beneath it from oxygen.