How to keep a healthy dirted tank v. 1

[aquatic hoyt]

What, throw mud in your tanks are you crazy Hoyt? Take a look out in the wilderness. Where do you find 100% pure gravel bottomed waters? Nowhere!


Why is dirt important in my tank? Why not just the fish poop and have the plants grow?

Well, three main reasons.

Plants do not do well just rooted in plain, old aquarium gravel. The chemical and biological conditions established and sustained by soil use provide natural nutrient availability.
dirt sucks up nitrates and hammers ammonia! Thus intensifying the nitrogen cycle for a long term setup.
Peat is defined as a highly organic soil, advantages of it in a aquarium...lowers pH for amazon originated fish such as, angelfish, cories, tetras.
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How do I avoid algae on my plants with such a high nutrient substrate? A.K.A Balance in the planted tank.
Create a eco system!
Plant your newly dirted tank right away so the plants can combat the high nutrient source.
In nature there are rocks, plants, fish, soil, and lesser forms of plants, duckweed, moss, algae and sunlight.
Nature is a constant battle between plants.....for example.....buckthorn tries to choke out plants and stop growth on wanted plants.....picture buckthorn as algae...it tries to choke out all plants and stop their photosynthesis.....unless you control it.....that”s why rocks and drift wood are so importantin aquariums.
If you put a hardscape of rocks and driftwood in your tank you will give algae a place to grow if you leave it their and let it grow all over the rocks and driftwood it will be content....wont grow on the plants cause It already has somewhere to grow!
Duckweed and moss are attractive plants that can also combat algae because they eat the same lesser nutrients.
From my experience no co2 is needed even though I have high lights....the other day I was trimming my plants in the 29 gallon and I saw something amazing....my plants were pearling.....shooting nutrient bubbles back into the water because they had so much nutrients....







I hope after reading this you will understand I am not crazy.

-Hoyt.

[ballpc]

I'm thinking of trying the "Special Kitty Natural Kitty Litter" for substrate. Mixed some up in a bucket to see how it acted and was duly impressed. It has a nice rich dark color that I like too.

Dennis

[meh]

I am so impressed I might expirment with a spare ten gallon and throw a bunch of plants in and see what happens.

Nice Article

[twotone12valve]

So I'm curious as to what you are using for a cap? And does it make a horrible mess of things when you have to move a plant.

[Crazygar]

Ever look into Mineralized Soil? That's neat as well, I attempted the "Kitty Litter" and was not impressed. Then again, this was at the beginning of the Century (quite literally, 2002) so things might have changed.

Gary

[aquatic hoyt]

So I'm curious as to what you are using for a cap? And does it make a horrible mess of things when you have to move a plant.

I cap it with regular aquarium gravel.....if you do sand get malaysian trumpet snails so bubbles dont build up.....

as for plants.....I never pull out heavy rooters such as crypts and SWORDS!!! they put roots out throughout my whole tank.......sweet growth though....

@meh<-- ATUB --> you should message me any questions.

[aquatic hoyt]

Ever look into Mineralized Soil? That's neat as well, I attempted the "Kitty Litter" and was not impressed. Then again, this was at the beginning of the Century (quite literally, 2002) so things might have changed.

Gary

@crazygar<-- ATUB --> gary.....the kitty litter mix isnt great....try laterite....or red flourite thats a good mix!

thinking of capping my 20 long dirted shrimp tank with flourite.

[Crazygar]

Yeah, tried it and didn't like it. I stick with my own combination now. Interested to see some pictures.

Gary

[aquatic hoyt]

Ask @meh<-- ATUB -->

me and him text back and forth!

I send him pics.