New Brevis Tank

[fredfish13]

hi to all.  I have been researching this site for the last week and love it.  I have a 20 gallon standard tank that I just put in some home depot sand, 18 shells from World Market(escargot shells), few vals and a crypt.  I will be putting an AC50 filter(off of one of my other tanks) once I get my shellies.  I will be getting some brevis(juvies) in a 2 weeks.  Is putting live plants directly into the sand going to work since the brevis will be redecorating most of the time?  Or do I put the plants in a pot?  I am not sure I would like the look of a pot showing in the tank after the sand is moved.   Any experiences?

[Sean]

IME, Brevis dont tend to dig as much as other shellies. They may dig or they may not depending on the individual fish. You should expect some digging if they start to spawn. Other then a small pit, I really never experienced digging 

[fredfish13]

thanks.
Are the escargot shells big enough for brevis once they pair up?  Or should I try to find some bigger ones? 

[fish head]

my brevis like a larger shell almost the size of a baseball

they only dig a little pit, just like Multies said, and would probably leave a planted area alone if the shells are not there..... got some java fern in my tank and they don't mess w/ it and among the stems is where I notice fry from time to time!