TMRC Exotics
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Caliban's 46G Dirted Bowfront Evolved
- Thread starter Caliban07
- Start date
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Definitely interesting to see the soil side and how it comes together.
I did wonder on potassium deficiency myself but I tend to blame that on lots of stuff
I did wonder on potassium deficiency myself but I tend to blame that on lots of stuff
I love this! I've just set up a dirted tank as well, but used Seachem's Onyx instead of red clay for the lower iron content (blue shrimp are apparently sensitive to it). I stab the dickens out of everything in a grid pattern with a knitting needle to make sure air isn't trapped. I probably should check the library for Walstad's book, since she covers everything I should know
I didn't see much info by way of cycling before adding fish. It's probably covered in the book I didn't read
Is a cycle necessary, per se, or is it a matter of doing a bunch of pwc and let nature take it's course?
I didn't see much info by way of cycling before adding fish. It's probably covered in the book I didn't read
Is a cycle necessary, per se, or is it a matter of doing a bunch of pwc and let nature take it's course?
Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
IMO I would at a minimum run at least one or two types of mechanical media in the canister. Firstly, to keep the impeller clear and, secondly, to provide a means of periodic waste removal. Thorough cleaning of the mechanical media on a regular basis should prevent BB from becoming established in the filter (and keep it in the substrate and other areas).
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Caliban07
Aquarium Advice Addict
I love this! I've just set up a dirted tank as well, but used Seachem's Onyx instead of red clay for the lower iron content (blue shrimp are apparently sensitive to it). I stab the dickens out of everything in a grid pattern with a knitting needle to make sure air isn't trapped. I probably should check the library for Walstad's book, since she covers everything I should know
I didn't see much info by way of cycling before adding fish. It's probably covered in the book I didn't read
Haha, thanks Laeris. Yes you do need to stab substrate every now and then. I still have bubbles coming up now and then but there is never any odour that would represent hydrogen sulphide build up. Hope it goes well for you. I'm not familiar with your chosen iron source. To be honest. Soil has a wealth of iron already. I added it to increase cation exchange. There are lots of reasons this helps.
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Caliban07
Aquarium Advice Addict
Thanks for your comment fresh. The other reason I removed the media is because I didn't want the media to trap waste that would be better utilised and by soil bacteria. It's a difficult concept for hobbyists to understand (not you particularly) what with the encouragement of a 'sterile' environment in today's hobby but with this method, the waste is supposed to collect on the substrate which feeds the plants and the plants in turn keep the water clean. You remove nutrient build up by removing and trimming the plants regularly.
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Seems reasonable, in nature plants get carried off one way or the other, more grow and a balance is usually maintained. I'm really glad you don't mind updating, some of us are a few steps behind you and it's nice to have warning before walking off a cliff XD
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Brookster123
Aquarium Advice Addict
No different than a stagnate pond brimming with life. . I can dig it.
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Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
Describes my former shrimp tank somewhat. Shrimp generated quite a bit of waste (I can see that now having them in a bare bottom tank) which resulted in the lower 3/4 of the EcoComplete substrate resembling mud. It was a host for a variety of micro/macro organisms. Was filled with substrate feeding, generously rooted plants (crypts). Moving plants turned the tank cloudy for a day. Was running for about 2.5 years before I broke it down.
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Caliban07
Aquarium Advice Addict
I haven't got to the point where I'm not changing water yet. It does take a bit more of a leap of faith. A change 20% every couple of weeks at the moment. Nitrates are up and have been for a while. Fish are ok. We've had so much rainfall lately that every time I do a water change I have to watch the tank for a couple of days. I don't know what they are doing with the water but even pouring it into a glass it goes cloudy and takes a while to settle which has never happened before. Again another reason I removed the media. I want to encourage denitrification by soil bacteria as well as plant utilisation and I will remove water when I can. Going through the mineralisation process sorts this out.
If you have soil that's been laid for a while, the amount of particles that get kicked up diminishes somewhat or so I believe. This is because the bacteria in the 'microzone' (the layer that separates the soil from the overlaying water) produce biofilms which act as a glue. Also, because of the powerful interaction between positive and negative ions the soil particles will settle somewhat more quickly as time goes on.
These ion interactions also encourage flocculation which form Aggregates in the soil. The volume formed by pores, channels, chambers and cracks allows the movement of fluids (air and water) in the soil, providing a favourable environment for microbial activity and facilitating root growth of plants.
Also, encouraging fertilisation at the roots provides plants with a significant advantage over algae.
Carbon is the major limiting factor with this method but soil can easily be used in high tech methods also.
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If you have soil that's been laid for a while, the amount of particles that get kicked up diminishes somewhat or so I believe. This is because the bacteria in the 'microzone' (the layer that separates the soil from the overlaying water) produce biofilms which act as a glue. Also, because of the powerful interaction between positive and negative ions the soil particles will settle somewhat more quickly as time goes on.
These ion interactions also encourage flocculation which form Aggregates in the soil. The volume formed by pores, channels, chambers and cracks allows the movement of fluids (air and water) in the soil, providing a favourable environment for microbial activity and facilitating root growth of plants.
Also, encouraging fertilisation at the roots provides plants with a significant advantage over algae.
Carbon is the major limiting factor with this method but soil can easily be used in high tech methods also.
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Caliban07
Aquarium Advice Addict
The cardamine lyrata had developed holes. Not holes you would associate with potassium deficiency. More like a melt and its on every leaf. I hope this is temporary and new growth will show soon.
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Caliban07
Aquarium Advice Addict
No added fertilisers in this tank. I think it may be acclimatising.
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Brookster123
Aquarium Advice Addict
What if you were walking by the tank with your old ferts and had a trip, oops! Spilled a little in there accidentally...
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Is that even a thing? I don't think that's a thing.
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tiger terror
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Brookster123
Aquarium Advice Addict
Is that even a thing? I don't think that's a thing.
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Stacey W.
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Did you add the fish right away after changing to a dirted substrate? Everything I've read had told me to wait.
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Did you add the fish right away after changing to a dirted substrate? Everything I've read had told me to wait.
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