loaches and walstad/mts setup?

[LiveMermaid07]

Hello!

I recently redid one of my tanks with about 1 - 1.5" miracle grow organic potting mix (the one specifically mentioned in 'walstad book') and topped with about 1" of pfs.

I have a bronze cory in there (who has already brought up some dirt lol), but I'm wondering if it would be ok to put my black khulie loaches back in this tank?

I've only been able to read excerpts (sp?) of her book so far and what I can find on the net, but I know she says no burrowing digging fish, but I thought maybe some here have tried it anyway.
I really really don't want to have to get rid of my khulies if I don't have to.

It is planted, not heavily yet, still getting things to grow and come back, but more than light I think. It does have 4 or 5 largish swords and several other plants.

Is it bad (what bad/how bad?) if some of the dirt ends up on top?

They were in this tank before so water is fine (params') and they have hiding spots ('cept it's now deeper water wise than before so the newish lights that were so bright before are now really dim lol), I'm just concerned about there digging and burrowing might cause some problem?
Or injure them somehow? (I don't know if it's safe for them to 'jump' into dirt..??)


Is there really any good reason I can't keep them in this setup?

29g, AC70 & AC50 & medium sponge filter. for now.


I'd really like to know if anyone has tried this before.
Thanks!





I don't know how the top got stuck on bold, it's not letting me undo it... of course once I post it it might look different lol, crazy. :hitting:

I also posted this in 'Loaches', and later in 'Bottom Dwellers', but no hits, so I thought I'd try here too. Thanks. ​

 

[Optimus]

Walstad's method or "Dirting" is something I highly recommend for a planted tank. And although her literature is an excellent starting point, as with everything else in this hobby there is always more to learn. The problem your having isn't down to the cory cats. Soil is reaching the surface because your pfs cap is way to thin. 1.5" of dirt should have a minimum pfs cap of 2-3" Without it, the dirt wont be sufficiently weighed down and could reach the surface via your fish swimming at speed and displacing the sand. Also, a good tip is to soak the dirt over night as this helps to limit compaction which could also displace the thinly capped dirt. The Good news is you've made the switch to dirt so keep your pruning scissors close by lol

I made a youtube vid of my entire dirting process which I'll pm.

Prime

 

[LiveMermaid07]

Walstad's method or "Dirting" is something I highly recommend for a planted tank. And although her literature is an excellent starting point, as with everything else in this hobby there is always more to learn. The problem your having isn't down to the cory cats. Soil is reaching the surface because your pfs cap is way to thin. 1.5" I'm not positive if it's 1" or 1.5". I couldn't get the last 1-2" of water out of the tank. (which made a big wood floaty mess...)
of dirt should have a minimum pfs cap of 2-3" Ok, I've got to get some more, I ran out, lol
Without it, the dirt wont be sufficiently weighed down and could reach the surface via your fish swimming at speed and displacing the sand. The sand was already wet from just taking it out of the tank so it stays still pretty good, but noted for future.
Also, a good tip is to soak the dirt over night as this helps to limit compaction which could also displace the thinly capped dirt. LOL. Too late for this one, but I'll keep it in mind / notes for the next one. The Good news is you've made the switch to dirt so keep your pruning scissors close by lol I hope so, half of it's melted.

I made a youtube vid of my entire dirting process which I'll pm.Prime

Thank you!

Will the thicker cap cause anerobic areas?

Do you think with the thicker cap it would be ok to add the khulis back?

It's not 'bad?' if some of the dirt is on the top? (as long as it's not the floaty bits?)

 

[jpappy789]

Never had an issue with a little mixing myself. Some will just sit there, some float to the top.