[Wet Thumb Forum]-My new "rain forest" aquarium

[DLevy]

After much contemplation I've decided to go the natural way, it just makes more sense.
My plans have changed several times, I wanted a medium sized open aquarium with many catfish- mostly synodontises –my favorite fish. Unfortunately the aquarium I found wouldn't fit the bill so I decided on the "rain forest" theme. Long twisted wood covered with moss fern and crypts, dark gravel and colorful schools of fish or apistos.
I've spent some time collecting the equipment and stuff needed. I collected roots of dead trees and rocks from a desert stream. Tried out a few substrates in small aquariums, spent some time shop hunting for the right gravel and it is now time to do it.
I have no camera so the pictures are taken out of a video I took of the setup.
The substrate made by a friend has two layers, first is peat and organic matter second is red soil/ clay. The depth is between one and a half to two inches on top of which is an inch of gravel (1-2mm black quartz).

The wood is anchored to the bottom so that it doesn't float, I didn't have a big enough pot to boil it in but it will settle with time.

The plants where planted without too much thought, I just stuck in what I could get my hands on. As time goes I will gradually replace what ever plants I have with more desirable ones.

There are more images in this link:
http://www.freshreef.com/forum/forum...?TID=8647&PN=1
Ignore the text (it says pretty much the same as said above), the pictures are chronologically ordered…

Technical details:
The aquarium is 80*40*45cm (~140 lt.) it has 2*18w lights and I'm going to add about 40-50w later on, (I'm aiming at 0.5 watts per liter), there is also sun light from a nearby window which I can control with the blinds…

Thanks for looking, C&C's are always welcome

Danny

[flagg]

Hey Danny! Welcome to AB! I think it's a great looking tank! Are the photos in your post same ones from the link? Because I can't see the photos you've posted. Otherwise, I think the tank looks great! I was surprised at just how red that clay is! Wow! I can't wait to see how the tank looks when it grows in a little more.

-ricardo

PS Ha! That's funny! You fixed the photos while I was replying!

[DLevy]

Just fixed the links, hope you can see it now...

The tank is a few days old by now and I have what is probably a bacterial bloom, I've posted a question in a separate thread regarding it's identification and what to do about it (sit and wait as always ... )

trying to get pictures, will update soon.

Danny

[dwalstad]

Dear DLevy,

I hope this tank works for you, but I'm dubious.

Mixing peat and a red clay soil gave me an iron toxicity problem than wouldn't go away (p. 132, my book). The natural, inevitable acidity of peat reacting with an iron-rich clay will release excessive iron into the root area and water. The excessive iron (which can be toxic to plants) may kill plant roots; it will also leach into the water to stimulate algae and/or bacteria (p. 167, my book).

Then you've got the deeper than recommended layer of soil (I recommend "soil beginners" start out with 1 inch of soil).

I sincerely hope that your tank works and you prove me wrong, but I would prepare myself for problems. Your substrate is a guaranteed "iron-generator" with all its related problems.

If the plants don't grow in this substrate, I wouldn't be surprised. Get some good lighting and focus on floating plants and strong emergent plants (Red Tiger Lotus) and those attached to the driftwood (here the iron won't kill them). After awhile the substrate may settle down and submerged plants may be able to grow in it, but you may be in for a long haul.

[DLevy]

Diane, thanks for replying. I read quite a lot about different substrates and soils and even conducted a few experiments in small tanks but in the end I opted for the "safe" way. Safe in the sense that I'm using this substrate made by a friend who has used it in many aquariums with good success. I'm not sure of the exact composure of this substrate but maybe if his reading this he can join in and explain (Eyal?!)
I already have a bacterial bloom, my rain forest turned into an enchanted forest all misty and spooky, I will try and get pictures up soon…
I posted another thread about this and it seems like the general advice is to just wait 'till the aquarium settles. I will check out for excess iron, though, it will be interesting to see what happens…

Danny

[KRiley]

Tank looks really cool. Love the woodwork! Some apistos are going to love it in there.

[DLevy]

Riley- thanks, I do hope to put in apistos but it still looks far away. So far bacteria is what I'm growing
Got a few pics of my "enchanted forest" aquarium, I uploaded them for my thread about the bacteria but I'll put them here too.

a general look


The film at the top


Around plant leaves


The mollies feasting


I opened the window to get enough light for the pictures, the direct sun light makes it look a little worse then it really is…

Thanks

Danny

[Matt S.]

[quote]....Originally posted by Diana Walstad:
Mixing peat and a red clay soil gave me an iron toxicity problem than wouldn't go away (p. 132, my book). The natural, inevitable acidity of peat reacting with an iron-rich clay will release excessive iron into the root area and water. The excessive iron (which can be toxic to plants) may kill plant roots; it will also leach into the water to stimulate algae and/or bacteria (p. 167, my book)....
QUOTE]
Hi

Is the only way to tell if a soil will have this problem to waiting to see if the plants die? Or is there a simple way to test for this iron solubility problem? For instance would there be iron levels in the water that would indicate this is occuring? Is there a rule of thumb / threshold in terms of ppm that would indicate dangerous iron levels?

Thanks

[dwalstad]

I believe I measured lots of iron in the water of my "disaster tank" containing potting soil mixed with laterite clay. Normally, I measure zero iron in tank water.

Remember you don't need much water iron to stimulate algae (or bacteria).

Thanks for posting the pictures. It should provide pause to those that want to mix soils.

[DLevy]

UPDATE

The water has cleared from the bacteria but after reading a few posts suggesting that an algae bloom could follow I decided at the first hint of green to cover the tank for a few days. I will update soon on the results...

Danny