Bare bottom or (what) substrate

[donpool]

Currently, my tank is bare bottom with a big driftwood in the middle. it houses three c. orientalis. im planning to stuff it with plants, and without a substrate, i just place the plants with their sponge filter covered roots (as seen in the pic) -- im not sure if the plants would last with those.

so...i would like to ask advice if i should put a substrate or can i maintain a bare bottom tank with dense vegetation?

 

[ZombieAxolotl]

You can use a fine sand. Or check out using planting tubs.
There are some good examples in the Vivaria, Enclosures & Product Reviews - Plants for Enclosures and Vivariums at Caudata.org Newt and Salamander Portal

 

[donpool]

thanks!!
i often have trouble finding them though whenever they hide underneath or behind the driftwood..hope i could find those plant tubs

 

[donpool]

how do i choose the soil?