Well I didn't get the soil like I was hopping to do today but I did get some plexiglas that I will cut into 6 12"x3" sheets to grow algae on in my other tanks to rotate around to feed my plecos. Free and easy food hopefully. I'm hopping tomorrow I can get the soil and plants so i can get started or at least ready to go next week when I have a chance to work on it again.
All-Natural Planted Tank
- Thread starter fishyz
- Start date
this is about as close to a natural tank as it gets. sand bottom, rocks, wood and plants. no ferts no co2.. i feed the fish they feed the plants it gets a 50% water change weekly and thats it
this is about as close to a natural tank as it gets. sand bottom, rocks, wood and plants. no ferts no co2.. i feed the fish they feed the plants it gets a 50% water change weekly and thats it
That's a little messy for me but all the plants look nice. Do you have any special soil under the sand or no?
I got some more plants to put in the tank once I have it ready: a nice java fern, a red flame sword that will hopefully turn into a nice centerpiece, and some italian vals that should make a dense forest eventually.
Next week I will get the soil and hopefully get it started if not finished.
OK, I have a few thinks to add.
First, I just got 5 baby bristle noses and 5 golden pencil fish for a great price off of aquabid.:headbang2:
Second, Would cycling be much of a problem if I use filter media from a cycled tank in this tank? I've heard of it being done and would save having to let the tank site and cycle without fish because of the the ammonia in the soil.
First, I just got 5 baby bristle noses and 5 golden pencil fish for a great price off of aquabid.:headbang2:
Second, Would cycling be much of a problem if I use filter media from a cycled tank in this tank? I've heard of it being done and would save having to let the tank site and cycle without fish because of the the ammonia in the soil.
I think it's a good idea. Walstead says you should add the fish right after setting up the tank but you're adding babies instead of healthy adult fish so I would tank any extra precautions you can.
The soil and plants will contain all of the bacteria you need for the tank. There will still be ammonia and nitrite spikes for the first six weeks or so as the soil breaks down and the bacteria reorganize, so I would hold off adding the babies until then.
If your talking to me I was saying that I was going to mix the sand with gravel not the plant substrate. I think the sand/gravel mix should look pretty nice.
