It has been 3.5 weeks without water change or substrate vac. Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates remain at zero. The potting soil substrate bubbles like crazy as the bacteria feed on the decaying organic matter. Plants are doing well. I needed to dose with some iron since I had no clay in my soil. Other than that this is a very low maintenance system. No algae yet and it is a very heavily stocked 36 gallon tank. With integrated sump the tank is 46 gallons.
The only filter are two mechanical sponges which I wash in the sink every other day. The biological filtration comes from the substrate and plants. Pump is Rio 1700 moving around 650 gallons p/h.
For lighting I run 2.5 watts per gallon in the morning then add the second PC for 5 watts per gallon for around 5 hours and then the balance of the 13 hours is 2.5 watts per gallon.
I researched this system based on AshDavids thread on his 400 gallon. I am convinced that the potting soil is an optimal media for bacteria and aerobic as well as anaerobic activities. The side benefit is high co2 production and fantastic medium for plants to root. When I do my larger tank I will replace the gravel on top of my potting soil with Shultz aquatic potting soil which is kiln fired fullers earth.
5 Angels
2 Black Tipped Sharks
2 Pictus Cats
2 Plecos
6 Tiger Barbs
2 Pink Gouramis
5 Cherry Barbs
2 German Blue Ram
2 Bala Sharks
2 Clown Loaches
The only filter are two mechanical sponges which I wash in the sink every other day. The biological filtration comes from the substrate and plants. Pump is Rio 1700 moving around 650 gallons p/h.
For lighting I run 2.5 watts per gallon in the morning then add the second PC for 5 watts per gallon for around 5 hours and then the balance of the 13 hours is 2.5 watts per gallon.
I researched this system based on AshDavids thread on his 400 gallon. I am convinced that the potting soil is an optimal media for bacteria and aerobic as well as anaerobic activities. The side benefit is high co2 production and fantastic medium for plants to root. When I do my larger tank I will replace the gravel on top of my potting soil with Shultz aquatic potting soil which is kiln fired fullers earth.
5 Angels
2 Black Tipped Sharks
2 Pictus Cats
2 Plecos
6 Tiger Barbs
2 Pink Gouramis
5 Cherry Barbs
2 German Blue Ram
2 Bala Sharks
2 Clown Loaches
