Go Back   Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community > Freshwater > Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks
Click Here to Login

Join Aquarium Advice Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about them on AquariumAdvice.com
 
Old 04-01-2023, 08:29 PM   #1
Aquarium Advice Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 1
Dirted tank

hello from Australia. Yesterday I set up a "dirted" tank following Father Fish's videos. I still need more plants and I am still hesitant about putting fish in on the second day (his advice) although when I tested the water today it was fine. Has anyone done one of these before and if so what was the result. my tank is 70 litres (about 20 gallons).
thanks, and glad to be here.

__________________
mazmoonbear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 12:16 AM   #2
Aquarium Advice Addict
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Perth in Western Australia
Posts: 1,489
Hi and welcome to the forum

Tanks with dirt substrate are often problematic and regularly have prolonged issues with ammonia being released by rotting organic matter in the dirt. These tanks can't be gravel cleaned and eventually they fail because of the massive build up of gunk (mainly fish waste) on the bottom, which harbours harmful disease organisms. This gunk also makes it harder to treat the tank if the fish get sick. After a period of time, the ammonia being released by the substrate stops and you end up with mud on the bottom of the tank.

Having a dirt substrate is in my opinion a waste of time. If you want a heavily planted tank, use a fine gravel, add aquarium plant fertiliser, provide lots of light and after things have settled down in a month or two, add a few small fish.
__________________
Colin_T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 03:27 AM   #3
Aquarium Advice Addict
 
Caliban07's Avatar


 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 6,265
Dirted tanks are some of the most successful tank’s I’ve owned as far as plant growth goes.

They can be problematic initially because the decomposition will release a lot of ammonia and reduce oxygen levels. I would wait a good while before adding livestock and plant it with as many plants as you can afford or you will get algae.

Be wary moving plants especially if they are deep rooted. Like with any planted tank, disturbing the substrate all at once can cause issues with the cycle and harm fish.

Other than that just enjoy watching your new ecosystem evolve.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2043.jpg
Views:	18
Size:	259.7 KB
ID:	325252
__________________
Caliban07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
dirt, tan, tank

Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about them on AquariumAdvice.com

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
130 gallon dirted tank Wepwawet Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks 69 04-06-2013 11:00 AM
20G (long) Dirted tank journey! gnarlybr02k12 Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks 13 12-14-2012 01:03 AM
Dirted tank water color. RyanLikesFishAndBeer Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks 7 08-26-2012 06:15 PM
First Dirted Tank.. Issues Trickerie Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks 3 05-26-2012 10:38 PM
My first dirted tank! Henri Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks 0 03-04-2012 08:27 PM







» Photo Contest Winners







All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2023, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.