Go Back   Aquatic Plant Central > General Interest Forums > El Natural
User Name
Password

Advertise on APC

El Natural Diana Walstad's low-maintenance, soil-based 'El Natural' method for keeping plants and fish.


Register and remove some of the ads
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-07-2007, 08:37 AM   #41
fuzzyletters
Member
 
fuzzyletters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 80
iTrader Ratings: 0
fuzzyletters is a regular member
Plant Points: 4800
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

which book was it?
fuzzyletters is offline   Reply With Quote
Remove Advertisements - Register Today! Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 

To avoid seeing this ad in our forum please register at AquaticPlantCentral.com

By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features.
Old 05-08-2007, 12:26 PM   #42
Jimbo205
Senior Member
 
Jimbo205's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Schenectady, Upstate NY
Posts: 1,708
iTrader Ratings: 4
iTrader Positive Rating: 100%
Jimbo205 is a valuable member of the communityJimbo205 is a valuable member of the community
Plant Points: 21851
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

He has a bunch.
Google his name and indulge yourself either at the local library or order online. Enjoy.

Now I have a question about High Tech vs. Low Tech.

From what I have read and REREAD in Diana Walstad's book (also a classic that I reread about every 2 months, no exaggeration here!);

plants take care of or 'eat' or consume nitrates. They prefer ammonium and expend energy to utilize nitrates, but they do consume nitrates.

Why do I continue to read about nitrates being a concern in tanks with plants in them?

I don't get it.

If you have plants, nitrates should NOT be a problem; correct?

Or is there something that I missed while re-reading that chapter again (very, very good.)?
Jimbo205 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 12:43 PM   #43
Kelley
Senior Member
 
Kelley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Coralville, Iowa
Posts: 658
iTrader Ratings: 13
iTrader Positive Rating: 100%
Kelley is a regular member
Plant Points: 38302
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

I think that SUFFICIENT nitrates are the problem. When you have a high light set-up, your fish do not contribute enough nitrogenous wastes to nourish the plants. Of course, you can always have to much. It's all about balance.
Kelley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 01:49 PM   #44
gf225
Senior Member
 
gf225's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 558
iTrader Ratings: 0
gf225 is a regular member
Plant Points: 32680
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

High-tech offers limitless plant choice.

Low-tech has limited plant choice.

That doesn't mean one is better than the other.

I've seen much better low-tech aquascapes......not many though.
gf225 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 02:01 PM   #45
gf225
Senior Member
 
gf225's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 558
iTrader Ratings: 0
gf225 is a regular member
Plant Points: 32680
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Hudson View Post
So, is there a hybrid method inbetween the two?
Ha, ha.

I run 1 wpg T8 with CO2 mist at 20ppm. Soil-based substrate, TMG 2x week, tap loaded with NO3 and PO4. 1/3 water change per week. Low fish load.

What's that? Low or high-tech?

Probably high. The plants (crypts, ferns and anubias) are all pearling after a few hours.

Growth is slow enough though, minimal maintenace except the weekly water change and 2x week dosing. So could be low-tech....?

Or mid-tech?

Ha, ha.
gf225 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2007, 11:15 AM   #46
Jimbo205
Senior Member
 
Jimbo205's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Schenectady, Upstate NY
Posts: 1,708
iTrader Ratings: 4
iTrader Positive Rating: 100%
Jimbo205 is a valuable member of the communityJimbo205 is a valuable member of the community
Plant Points: 21851
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

George, it doesn't matter. You aquariums kick butt. Nuff said.
Jimbo205 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2007, 01:55 AM   #47
wakemenow
Junior Member
 
wakemenow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 9
iTrader Ratings: 0
wakemenow is a regular member
Plant Points: 700
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

Yep. I agree. It's definitely a difference in personal philosophies.
wakemenow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2007, 02:10 AM   #48
Homer_Simpson
Senior Member
 
Homer_Simpson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 641
iTrader Ratings: 0
Homer_Simpson is a regular member
Plant Points: 44300
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

Quote:
Originally Posted by wakemenow View Post
Yep. I agree. It's definitely a difference in personal philosophies.
It also depends on how much time, money, and effort that you are prepared to put forth. I have done both, and hands down, low tech is the least costly and takes the least effort. If I were retired, I would definitely go high tech as I would have more than enough time to manage it and any problems that may arise. With very limited time on my hands, I would go low tech.
Homer_Simpson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2008, 04:39 AM   #49
howie
Senior Member
 
howie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 101
iTrader Ratings: 2
iTrader Positive Rating: 100%
howie is a regular member
Plant Points: 9050
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

I am switching from high tech to low tech and cutting down the number of tanks I have. Have a baby coming and all my tanks take a good 4 hours of maintenance every week. Not to mention the daily dosing. I have a 10 gallon low tech shrimp tank with 1wpg, no dosing and weekly water changes and it is doing the best. I am getting tired of pruning and fighting algae.
howie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2008, 05:27 AM   #50
dwalstad
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 592
iTrader Ratings: 0
dwalstad is a regular member
Plant Points: 26025
Default Re: High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

Welcome aboard!
dwalstad is offline   Reply With Quote
Remove Advertisements - Register Today! Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
To avoid seeing this ad in our forum please register at AquaticPlantCentral.com

By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features.
Reply


Aquatic Plant Central > General Interest Forums > El Natural > High tech vs. Low tech (El Natural)

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Aquatic Plant Forum Replies Last Post
Can I do El Natural without tearing down my old tank ? art_b El Natural 4 09-21-2006 01:42 AM
Roland on Low Maintenance Layouts (Live Chat, Sept 2005) Art_Giacosa Library 0 10-21-2005 02:14 AM
Low and High PH of Nano tank spinex Nano Aquariums 6 10-14-2005 09:25 AM
Low Tech Tank S General Aquarium Plants Discussions 5 03-16-2005 07:44 AM
low light plants in high light areas? Dave B Aquascaping 10 03-18-2004 06:08 PM

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:43 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.


Copyright © 2006 - 2008 Aquatic Plant Central | About Aquatic Plant Central | Legal | A member of the Crowdgather Forum Community
Created by Blue Moose Designs
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=