Planted Bowls!

[Mlani]

Your first pic won't load for me :-( My vote is for 22! You could do some moss stuck in the crease and have it grow out creating a canopy over the other end like a curtain for a cave. That'd look pretty cool I think.

 

[Bdonaldson]

I'm also planning on ghost shrimp. I have killed some ghost shrimp by not giving them a heater though. (But I also never turn my AC down unless it is snowing outside. Sometimes not even then. Lol.)

I would think so. I think several of us are kind of experimenting. Have fun!

That's what I thought. Thanks.

 

[Bdonaldson]

Yep! I used an old 1/2 cup measuring cup to do the water changes. It's best to just take water from a mature tank to replace the water in the bowl. If you don't have another tank to take water from it will still be ok.

Oh ok. Good idea to get the water from a cycled tank. I will do that. Thanks.

 

[xstream]

Just bought this at Hobby Lobby for $3.50 on their glass sale. Going to move my Anubias Nana to one of these planted bowls.




What should I use for substrate?

 

[jmay33]

Just bought this at Hobby Lobby for $3.50 on their glass sale. Going to move my Anubias Nana to one of these planted bowls.

What should I use for substrate?

Looks good! I used FloraMax plant substrate. Sand and root tabs would be good too. It just depends on what look you're going for.

 

[jmay33]

My water is starting to clear!

 

[misterpenguin4]

Got the bowl and light. Just need some substrate and I think I am going to get 2-3 little minnows, plants and snails from local ponds. Will post pics.

 

[Magicmarymac]

Clay Base

I have been playing in the dirt again... lol

For my bowl(s) I plan to start with a thin layer of native clay soil. Yes I realize I'm breaking the rules, and may have severe problems. But you see, in addition to reading the wonderful Diana Walstad book, "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium", I have been reading "An Alternative Aquarium: A Robust Habitat, How to Build a Better Aquarium" by Max Owens. Fascinating.

The area where we live is famous for the clay. Pottery quality clay. I started to buy Laterite to try my first planted tank, started on the 6th, but decided to live dangerously and "harvest" my own clay base.

So I dug a hole, wet the soil, broke the soil into muck with my hands, strained it with an ex-kitchen strainer, and am now drying it somewhat.

My 10g has the clay soil, Osmacote, Organic Potting Soil, and is capped with EcoComplete mixed with soil. At first it was murky with tannins, but even after planting it is very clear now, only four days later.

This is why I am doing my bowl the same way.

 

[misterpenguin4]

Found some flourite gravel I used for a earlier project! Im filling it with cycled aquarium water from another tank and Putting small gravel stones in there. Its a little merky!

 

[Sharpchick]

These are all looking good!

Isn't it fun? Aquascaping on a teeny, tiny scale is quite a challenge...

 

[xstream]

My planted bowl is going to be the home of my Anubias Nana that I need to remove from my 10 gallon that has insufficient lighting. I have a spot near a window that should keep it very happy... Or will I get algae? I might still have some Anacharis if that will fend off the algae...

I was thinking I would just use river rocks at the moment. I have some liquid plant food that should feed my Anubias and Anacharis...right?

 

[Sharpchick]

My planted bowl is going to be the home of my Anubias Nana that I need to remove from my 10 gallon that has insufficient lighting. I have a spot near a window that should keep it very happy... Or will I get algae? I might still have some Anacharis if that will fend off the algae...

I was thinking I would just use river rocks at the moment. I have some liquid plant food that should feed my Anubias and Anacharis...right?

Yes, liquid ferts. Both of those plants feed from the water column.

If you have the space, you might be able to play with positioning of the bowl if algae becomes an issue.

My bowl is under a desk lamp with a 13 watt CFL in it, and I have not had issues with algae since I set it up in March.

 

[Sillyfishies]

My planted bowl is going to be the home of my Anubias Nana that I need to remove from my 10 gallon that has insufficient lighting. I have a spot near a window that should keep it very happy... Or will I get algae? I might still have some Anacharis if that will fend off the algae...

I was thinking I would just use river rocks at the moment. I have some liquid plant food that should feed my Anubias and Anacharis...right?

I'd just get some duckweed and keep taking some out.

 

[misterpenguin4]

Just went and got some minnows and saw sillyfishes idea and thought I might grab some duckweed while Im at the pond so I did. The minnows actaully kinda look like guppies. There is some kind of grass that also grows in ponds around here that Im going to put in there.

 

[Mlani]

I won't be making it into town today :-( After looking at all of yours set up and sprouting already I have a feeling my bowl is going to be one of the last ones to get going..lol I'm working on a 20 gal too so I'm hoping to get everything for both projects at the same time. I saw a small heater that goes in the substrate (designed for bettas) I'm wondering if I should grab that while I'm at it? Which leads me to my next question..I'm using a tall vase for this experiment with plants do you think it would be suitable for a betta?

 

[Billbug68]

I won't be making it into town today :-( After looking at all of yours set up and sprouting already I have a feeling my bowl is going to be one of the last ones to get going..lol I'm working on a 20 gal too so I'm hoping to get everything for both projects at the same time. I saw a small heater that goes in the substrate (designed for bettas) I'm wondering if I should grab that while I'm at it? Which leads me to my next question..I'm using a tall vase for this experiment with plants do you think it would be suitable for a betta?

IMO, no. I have mine in a 5g right now and I feel terrible. They're much more enjoyable in a 10g.

 

[misterpenguin4]

Just finished planting and puting snails in. Man I love starting a new aquarium!!! I just went to the pond and got whatever plants spoke to me lol. Kinda like a free plant store. I figured if the plants start doing bad ill just take them out and its only 1/2 gal so it wont be too bad. I think ive got some pretty cool plants, fish, and snails considering the whole thing cost me $0.00. How often should i do water changes and howmuch? Its a 1/2 gal bowl. Still a little foggy but check it out:

 

[Autumnsky]

Just finished planting and puting snails in. Man I love starting a new aquarium!!! I just went to the pond and got whatever plants spoke to me lol. Kinda like a free plant store. I figured if the plants start doing bad ill just take them out and its only 1/2 gal so it wont be too bad. I think ive got some pretty cool plants, fish, and snails considering the whole thing cost me $0.00. How often should i do water changes and howmuch? Its a 1/2 gal bowl. Still a little foggy but check it out:

Awesome! and free is great!

 

[Sharpchick]

I won't be making it into town today :-( After looking at all of yours set up and sprouting already I have a feeling my bowl is going to be one of the last ones to get going..lol I'm working on a 20 gal too so I'm hoping to get everything for both projects at the same time. I saw a small heater that goes in the substrate (designed for bettas) I'm wondering if I should grab that while I'm at it? Which leads me to my next question..I'm using a tall vase for this experiment with plants do you think it would be suitable for a betta?

Here's a different opinion from Billybug's...

I have male bettas side by side in planted 4 gallon Evolves. Neither one has a heater but the water stays consistently at 75 degrees F, I think primarily because of the lid, which seems to create a greenhouse effect.

IMO for containers over about a gallon and half, it's the conditions inside the container that are more important than the size of it. Highly planted containers and tanks have a natural filtration system.

Even a small jar, vase or bowl can be bad news for plants if there's not very much surface area for gas exchange.

How big is your vase, and what's it's shape? Do you have a photo you can post?

 

[Sharpchick]

Just finished planting and puting snails in. Man I love starting a new aquarium!!! I just went to the pond and got whatever plants spoke to me lol. Kinda like a free plant store. I figured if the plants start doing bad ill just take them out and its only 1/2 gal so it wont be too bad. I think ive got some pretty cool plants, fish, and snails considering the whole thing cost me $0.00. How often should i do water changes and howmuch? Its a 1/2 gal bowl. Still a little foggy but check it out:

Just like in a regular aquarium, you need to test the water. If you've dirted it, you may need to watch for a nitrate spike.

I do water changes on my vase 2X per week.