dawntwister

Angel4 you obviously didn't do a trial test with the gravel. You are going to have to start over the thank with the gravel. The gravel obviously is not small enough to keep the dirt down.

They help the cycle process put some of the gravel in a thin sock and put it in the tank after you refill it. Also perhaps putting aprox. 4 in. of the water in the restart will be cleared up with the filter.

I don't understand why you removed the sand to the point that the dirt was exposed. What is happening with that the tank with sand? Have you put some more sand on area exposed. Replacing sand is easiest to do by putting in a sock and then pouring it out with sock near the bottom.

Sand can be hard to keep clean. Have read that some vacuum up the top layer and replace it and that others have a lot of corys to keep it clean.

yum

yes, schultz works but it's very light and doesn't anchor plants at all. i have it my tank but would not use it again for this reason. other than that, i don't have any issues with the schultz. it has a nice color.

Kamehamehaaaaaaa!!!!

My first post =] Having read the full thread; I'd like to layer my aquarium as follows, from bottom to top;laterite,dead leaves and iron wool/washers,potting soil,sand. My sources of info from Dwalstad and rs79. I've never had a planted aquarium before, and am looking to learn as much as possible to do an extremely low maintenance planted tank with potential cardinal tetras and red cherry shrimp. Will this setup work nicely, or is there a better way? I plan to use the soil as the topmost layer to "lockdown" what's underneath it, but have also read that it is difficult to clean/vacuum. Also, what the heck is a bottle test? I think the idea is to look for yellow water, but can someone please elaborate a bit more? Thanks.

dawntwister

You want to set up the substrate in a small container to make certain that the top layer will hold the dirt down. Dirt as the top layer won't work for it floats in the water.

If you can't find small pebbles try pool supplies for pool media or pool filter sand. I had pool filter sand but got tired of it. You have to vacumm it up and replace . Replacing done by putting some in a sock and opening the sock up near the bottom of the tank.

mommyeireanne

Hold on a minute! Let's get back to Natural Planted Tank basics: soil with a small gravel cap, 2-3 watts per gallon light , water movement and well rooted plants are what you need. Fish food and mulm provide everything else. There is a limit to how much iron/metal plants, DOC's and water conditioner can bind. I think it would kill the shrimp. Too much would be toxic for anything living. And your substrate could rot from the decomposition of the leaves. If you want easy, just do these basics. That's what El Natural is all about. Go back to page one on this thread. Check out Data Guru's post. She has a step by step summary that's short and sweet. Read Diana Walstad's book, it's good. And let us know when you set up your NPT.

dawntwister

Now I understand why someone said it is best to follow 1 method. Combining many methods can cause toxic problems.

Most important thing is lighting equalling plants needs. If you have natural light you might need co2. For Co2 there is flourish excell and diy Co2.