guidedbyechoes

I'm guessing fish that dig are probably not the best suited for this style of setup. I was pondering setting up a self contained enviroment centered around Dollar sunfish, but I think this may be an unwise choice.

Rattail

And why not? There are no artificial pumps and filters in nature. So why don't you do your homework, find out what the natural environment is like and set up a biotope using the so-called "el natural" principles?

guidedbyechoes

No I was more worried about them digging up all the plants, but I think I figured a way around that.

dwalstad

There's always a solution! I put little stones around plants that my cichlids tried to dig up.

EMc/

Diana, this was an old quote, & I'm wondering if this is still what you advocate & if so, why?

Marty

dwalstad

Sometimes after I've stirred up a lot of soil, I use a mechanical filter to quickly clear the water. Not essential (because the soil eventually settles out anyway), but handy.

The Aqua-Clear submerged powerhead with its Quick Filter attachment is a nice, inexpensive mechanical filter for larger tanks (30 gal and up). It will help filter out larger soil particles.

I like this filter and my Submariner UV Sterilizing filter (for controlling disease and green-water). Both filters are less expensive than a canister filter.

However, any (or no) filter will work. Plants and soil bacteria remove ammonia, so you don't need biological filtration. I've often run tank without any filters.

EMc/

I'm guessing you meant to say you don't need mechanical filtration?

Anyway, thanks for clarifying that. I have on occasion used mechanical filtration to clear up water I've stirred up, if I'm in an impatient mood. But, as you said, the particulates settle down eventually, so you don't really need to do it.

Regards,
Marty

gr8nguyen1

si was reading diane's book and it was also mentioned in this thread several times. why must the soil layer only be 1-1.5 inches? why can't the soil and the gravel top layer be 2 inches or more?

dwalstad

[quote=gr8nguyen1;480247]si was reading diane's book and it was also mentioned in this thread several times. why must the soil layer only be 1-1.5 inches? QUOTE]

If the soil layer is too deep, it can easily become severely anaerobic and kill plant roots. Plants grow poorly and you get algae.

Keep the soil layer 1 inch and cover with only as much gravel or sand as you need to hold the soil down. The gravel cover should not be more than 1 inch.

gr8nguyen1

thanks for answering all my posts mrs. walstad. your book is great. there is so much useful info. that my mind cant absorb it all in one reading thats why i had to reread it a second time. i might just might read it a third time.