My Tanks: The Journal

[dougall]

there are so many alternatives that are far less ugly.

and it's less work, you know like refilling and stuff.

 

[Sprinkle]

there are so many alternatives that are far less ugly.

and it's less work, you know like refilling and stuff.

like a water change? thats pure boring and painful to my back.

 

[Wyomingite]

Lol

I do dirted tanks because it is how I've had the best results with plants. I struggled with most plants until I started using this method. I was using dirt in tanks well before I knew who Dougall was though, so I'm not doing it to spite anyone...

i havent done what i wanted. disater. bucket slipped and water hit the sand causing it to move and release bit of soil and water was crystal clear before the accident. i tested the water for ammonia, nothing. water quality is unscathed

View attachment 229603

Not a disaster. It will siphon out with a couple of water changes and you won't know it ever happened. You may see this again if you plant anything that already has a large established root system, especially swords. Just be patient and take your time and it will work out fine. To help with that look at getting some planting "forks". I don't know what they're technically called. They're just basically a log-handled tool with a forked end. This will help a lot. They aren't much good for swords with really larger root systems, but they make a big difference with young crypts and swords.

WYite

 

[dougall]

like a water change? thats pure boring and painful to my back.

I value my back and free time...

I'd honestly rather spend the time maintaining plants themselves, or watching fish, anything but water changes.

 

[Sprinkle]

Not a disaster. It will siphon out with a couple of water changes and you won't know it ever happened. You may see this again if you plant anything that already has a large established root system, especially swords. Just be patient and take your time and it will work out fine. To help with that look at getting some planting "forks". I don't know what they're technically called. They're just basically a log-handled tool with a forked end. This will help a lot. They aren't much good for swords with really larger root systems, but they make a big difference with young crypts and swords.

WYite

thank you for your kind words. i really appreciate it yeah, just planted my sword and some dirt got out, but i am bit worried i havent used enough dirt though it looks like an inch but its not according to my ruler.

 

[Sprinkle]

I value my back and free time...

I'd honestly rather spend the time maintaining plants themselves, or watching fish, anything but water changes.

certainly. i will be getting in more plants, like those fast growing once so they do more looking after water quality so i could spend more time to myself (im an introvert).

 

[Sprinkle]

so i could leave in the soil bits in? i left most of them in my 6 gallon as well and havent harmed my fish.

 

[dougall]

I do dirted tanks because it is how I've had the best results with plants. I struggled with most plants until I started using this method. I was using dirt in tanks well before I knew who Dougall was though, so I'm not doing it to spite anyone...



Not a disaster. It will siphon out with a couple of water changes and you won't know it ever happened. You may see this again if you plant anything that already has a large established root system, especially swords. Just be patient and take your time and it will work out fine. To help with that look at getting some planting "forks". I don't know what they're technically called. They're just basically a log-handled tool with a forked end. This will help a lot. They aren't much good for swords with really larger root systems, but they make a big difference with young crypts and swords.

WYite

Bah Dirt!!!!!

I find it less messy, period, to use something that does not need to be capped in any way, or mixed with any other substrate. There are far too many bnutrient laden aquasoils on the market these days, or histoically there are substrated that have very poor nutrients initially but can hold them for the future (say eco complete or flourite) that using soil/dirt is just something that can be terribly messy, and not really worth the investment in time.

but great if it works,


this really should be a discussion elsewhere, if needed though. as well as tools and whatever (tweezers/pinsettes are pretty common)

 

[dougall]

so i could leave in the soil bits in? i left most of them in my 6 gallon as well and havent harmed my fish.

to be technical, it depends on what the bits are..

lots of soil itself will not hurt the fish, but anything added to artificially add to thee soil, toi retain water or whatevr, can be harmful... but if it looks like plain brown dirt it is likely fine.

 

[Wyomingite]

so i could leave in the soil bits in? i left most of them in my 6 gallon as well and havent harmed my fish.

to be technical, it depends on what the bits are..

lots of soil itself will not hurt the fish, but anything added to artificially add to thee soil, toi retain water or whatevr, can be harmful... but if it looks like plain brown dirt it is likely fine.

Dougall is dead on. Anything ( if there is anything) harmful in the soil will leach out even if it is capped, so hopefully you double- and triple-checked to make sure your soil is safe. If you have safe soil then the bits won't hurt staying above the cap, but it is unsightly.

Bah Dirt!!!!!

I find it less messy, period, to use something that does not need to be capped in any way, or mixed with any other substrate. There are far too many bnutrient laden aquasoils on the market these days, or histoically there are substrated that have very poor nutrients initially but can hold them for the future (say eco complete or flourite) that using soil/dirt is just something that can be terribly messy, and not really worth the investment in time.

but great if it works,


this really should be a discussion elsewhere, if needed though. as well as tools and whatever (tweezers/pinsettes are pretty common)

LOL. I'm not trying to annoy you. I don't have a dog in that race. I don't consider myself an expert or even intermediate caliber in that area. But I figure if Sprinkle is going to do a dirted tank then I might as well give what little support I can.

WYite