Soil Substrates- Part 2
This topic will show how I put it together, and will be an aquarium log.
Neccesary components:
Organic Choice potting soil
Aquarium substrate as a topping (sand or aquarium gravel. Nothing too big.)http://www.jlaquatics.com/images/substrate/estes/ultrareef_black.jpg
Lighting fixture (I use 20-23 watts of cool white over my 10 gallons, and 15 watts over my 5 gallon. Indirect sunlight isn't your enemy with this type of setup.)
Plants
Fish
Water
Optional components:
Powerhead driven sponge, Internal or canister filter (No airstones or splashing!)
Mineralised topsoil (10% or less of soil mixture)
Laterite, Flourite, or 100% natural clay ground up (10% or less of soil mixture if using clay, can use more if using laterite or flourite)
Liquid fertilisers
Step 1. Get a clean aquarium.
Step 2. (OPTIONAL) Add clay/laterite to the very back, or wherever your heavy feeders will be.
Step 3. Add Organic Choice potting soil to desired depth. (A maximum of 2 inches- less is better for most smaller tanks.)
Step 4. (OPTIONAL) Add thin layer of mineralised topsoil...
Wait- I want more soil...
Step 5. Add sand/gravel.
Step 6. (Optional) Hide edges.... (This technique only works with sand)
Using a card (credit card works, I used my library card), go between the glass and the substrate. When you pull the card out, sand will fill it in.
Step 7. Fill with water, slowly. I place my hand on the bottom of the tank and gently pour it in my hand. As the water level rises, you can keep your hand a few inches under the surface and pour faster... You'll know if you pour too fast- soil will float up where you disturbed the layers.
Step 8. Plant your plants. Like any other tank, pay attention to the plants needs... If a plant needs bright light, place it under the light. etc.
Front-
Side
Other side
Whole display-
In her book, Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist, Diana Walstad says the goal is to set up an ecosystem where "plants and fish balance each other's needs". In this type of tank, the plants are the water purifiers and filters. Rather than converting ammonia to nitrate, plants convert ammonia to plant mass, so there's no buildup of nitrate and pH doesn't drop over time. Plants also remove heavy metals from the water. Fish food, mulm and micronutrients from the soil feed the plants. Fish and bacteria produce carbon dioxide for the plants and the plants help produce oxygen for the fish. Only moderate lighting combined with sunlight is needed. A Walstad-type natural planted tank is low maintenance requiring only pruning of plants and infrequent partial water changes...
This topic explained how to set up a soil-substrate aquarium, and the risks/benefits of doing so. Part 1 This topic will show how I put it together, and will be an aquarium log.
Neccesary components:
Organic Choice potting soil
Aquarium substrate as a topping (sand or aquarium gravel. Nothing too big.)http://www.jlaquatics.com/images/substrate/estes/ultrareef_black.jpg
Lighting fixture (I use 20-23 watts of cool white over my 10 gallons, and 15 watts over my 5 gallon. Indirect sunlight isn't your enemy with this type of setup.)
Plants
Fish
Water
Optional components:
Powerhead driven sponge, Internal or canister filter (No airstones or splashing!)
Mineralised topsoil (10% or less of soil mixture)
Laterite, Flourite, or 100% natural clay ground up (10% or less of soil mixture if using clay, can use more if using laterite or flourite)
Liquid fertilisers
Step 1. Get a clean aquarium.
Step 2. (OPTIONAL) Add clay/laterite to the very back, or wherever your heavy feeders will be.
Step 3. Add Organic Choice potting soil to desired depth. (A maximum of 2 inches- less is better for most smaller tanks.)
Step 4. (OPTIONAL) Add thin layer of mineralised topsoil...
Wait- I want more soil...
Step 5. Add sand/gravel.
Step 6. (Optional) Hide edges.... (This technique only works with sand)
Using a card (credit card works, I used my library card), go between the glass and the substrate. When you pull the card out, sand will fill it in.
Step 7. Fill with water, slowly. I place my hand on the bottom of the tank and gently pour it in my hand. As the water level rises, you can keep your hand a few inches under the surface and pour faster... You'll know if you pour too fast- soil will float up where you disturbed the layers.
Step 8. Plant your plants. Like any other tank, pay attention to the plants needs... If a plant needs bright light, place it under the light. etc.
Front-
Side
Other side
Whole display-