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what's the worse that can happen if i used sand as a substrate with live plants?

Worst that could happen, the sand compacts. Because you dont' want to disturb the plant roots too much you don't stir it often enough and you end up with anerobic pockets of bacteria which is poisonous to fish. If the sand compacts enough it will crush the plant roots killing the plants.

That's about the worst that I can see happening....being that sand has no plant nutrition on it's own, and doesn't allow for the fish waste (plant food) to settle where the plants can get it thru their roots, you're best off sticking with the types of plants that are a). able to get their nutrients solely thru their leaves b). able to grow well on driftwood or rock.

^_^[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

that makes a lot of sense! thanks!