General Aquarium Talk - Page 321

Optimus. · 7th August 2012, 9:01 PM

Anyone here running a dirted tank? I'm hoping to establish some plants in mine and wondered if there were any tips.

I've been seeing videos of people using potting mix and soaking it for a while in a tub and removing the fertiliser pellets and mulch that floats to the top. Is this a safe option for a new setup? I'm planning on having the tank up for 2 weeks or so to cycle and give the plants time to settle in before adding fish.

I'm also getting a layer of 3mm gravel/sand which I could use to cap the dirt layer in the tank.

MotoJohnno · 7th August 2012, 9:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus.

Anyone here running a dirted tank? I'm hoping to establish some plants in mine and wondered if there were any tips.

I've been seeing videos of people using potting mix and soaking it for a while in a tub and removing the fertiliser pellets and mulch that floats to the top. Is this a safe option for a new setup? I'm planning on having the tank up for 2 weeks or so to cycle and give the plants time to settle in before adding fish.

I'm also getting a layer of 3mm gravel/sand which I could use to cap the dirt layer in the tank.

I looked into this quite a bit before ending up with UpAqua soil which is miles cleaner and easier. Though I ran a setup with the UpAqua soil and plain ole' gravel and I saw no difference even with both having the same co2 injection and ferts.

I would look at "maturing" the soil a little longer than two weeks. A lot of setups that used this method would add soil then just enough water to cover the soil. Cover the tank with glad wrap and leave it for a month. Then add a layer of gravel, fill, and do a few water changes. Followed by more waiting. I'd definitely not get soil that has any kind of ferts to begin with.

Never did it myself since it looked like too much work for not enough benefit.

Optimus. · 7th August 2012, 9:28 PM

Thanks for the advice! Love hearing from those with experience in the area.

I was planning on soaking the soil for a while longer in a covered plastic tub in the laundry (next to one soaking some driftwood). Would this be the same as sealing it in an aquarium?

And while I'm here (

) we have a 1x2ft tank at the moment and I was going to use one half of the sponge from it's filter as the kickstarter for the upcoming tank (4x2ft).

Would this be done after the settled soil to start cycling the tank or would cycling the tank start with the soil prep?

So you didn't have any trouble growing plants with just gravel?

MotoJohnno · 7th August 2012, 9:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus.

Thanks for the advice! Love hearing from those with experience in the area.

I was planning on soaking the soil for a while longer in a covered plastic tub in the laundry (next to one soaking some driftwood). Would this be the same as sealing it in an aquarium?

I'm going to say it would be the same. However I'm sure there are some out there that would insist that by moving the soil you'd be disturbing the bacteria culture. If you want to use soil (no ferts) then soaking in a bucket is fine or to answer your question, it's the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus.

And while I'm here (

) we have a 1x2ft tank at the moment and I was going to use one half of the sponge from it's filter as the kickstarter for the upcoming tank (4x2ft).

Even squeezing the dirty sponge water into the new tank would be enough. Like with most things, patience is key. Waiting an extra week or two may make all the difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus.

Would this be done after the settled soil to start cycling the tank or would cycling the tank start with the soil prep?

Prep the soil for a month or so, put it in the new tank and add water. I'd suggest buying a small bottle of Seachem Prime and adding some. Add a few fish flakes to break down into ammonia and then add the sponge water. Let it cycle for a week or two.

I had fun the first time I set up a larger tank by recording the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Observing the ammonia and nitrite zero out while the nitrate climbed. If you're not familiar with this cycle, read this
or google for hundreds of other explanations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus.

So you didn't have any trouble growing plants with just gravel?

Nope

Optimus. · 7th August 2012, 10:21 PM

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. Much appreciated.

I hear your warnings and note your planted success with your gravel substrate. I have had a look and a bit of a sift through the potting mix I found and it's quite plain (not nutrient boosted). There are some large chunks of mulch and organics though so I think it'll be suitable for tank use. I shall begin the soaking process tomorrow night - I reckon we're a month out at least from the tank/cabinet actually arriving. Please feel free to roll out with the 'I told you so' when it all goes to shit.

Also if I use dirt, I won't need to buy more gravel as I think the amount I've got will spread too thinly to cover the tank floor by itself. Should be enough to cap the soil though.

Your great photo has raised a couple of OT questions re: plants. Namely, what two types do you have in there? Is that thin java fern in the back? What's the carpet? Do you need to trim those plants to keep them from going unruly and taking over?

I like the covered rocks. We will have at least one 2.5" bristlenose in the tank and maybe 2 other small catfish to help keep things tidy. Given that our tank will be by the base of the stairs and visible from all sides, in my mind I'm thinking of having a nice central bit of driftwood as an 'island' and a few clumps of long & thin leafed plants around the tank. Also a mostly carpeted bed.

Still deciding whether to repurpose the blue rocks from the current tanks in to a stream through the carpet (too wanky me thinks)!

tangcla · 7th August 2012, 10:29 PM

Anyone interested in five congo tetras and two (possibly false) Siamese algae eaters?

usumgal · 7th August 2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fido666

Have you ever kept Bettas in a community tank?

I've got two young giant fighters in community tanks with rainbows I've had crowntails longfins and superdelta's with rainbows as well as with platy's and swordtails the only trouble I've had is from them over eating which could be your problem it don't take much for them to over do it then they will slowly die

Even the bettas that I keep on their own don't get fed every day.

fido666 · 7th August 2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broccoli

Fido, how big was your tank?

It's a 15L tank but probably only has 12L of water in it by the time you factor in the gravel at the bottom and some air space at the top. I had 4 neons and 4 phantoms in there at the time I had the Betta.

I'll soon be moving to a larger 34L all-in-one setup, I think my Phantoms need more room as they've grown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by usumgal

Even the bettas that I keep on their own don't get fed every day.

Maybe that was my problem, I feed my school every day. I've cut back the amount recently as I had a ammonia spike, that and the tell-tale floating leftovers suggested I was overdoing it.

broccoli · 7th August 2012, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fido666

It's a 15L tank but probably only has 12L of water in it by the time you factor in the gravel at the bottom and some air space at the top. I had 4 neons and 4 phantoms in there at the time I had the Betta.

To try a male betta in a community tank, it would need to be a BIG tank so that he could carve out his little kingdom somewhere, and not too many other fish, so they could keep out of each others way. They are really prone to stress and being in that small of a space with anybody, let alone several other fish would have freaked him out. I've had a female in with a few tetras (lemon tetras, "nice" ones) and some cories, but she was in 50L. The only way I'd put a male in with others is if he was really young and he had a huge area shared with only a few others. Even then, there could be a sudden bloodbath. They really are better off with their own tank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fido666

Maybe that was my problem

With a betta, you feed them food the size of their eye. With bio-gold, they get 3 pellets. It is a tiny amount of food.

fido666 · 7th August 2012, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broccoli

They are really prone to stress and being in that small of a space with anybody, let alone several other fish would have freaked him out.

Compared to the bowl I got him in my tank was huge but I take your point.

Quote:

The only way I'd put a male in with others is if he was really young and he had a huge area shared with only a few others.

I'm not sure about the first because he was quite big when I got him but the 2nd was a youngster. The fish geek at my LFS said no 2 would be OK in my tank with the number of fish I had, usually his advice is pretty reliable.

Quote:

They really are better off with their own tank.

I will have a spare tank once my new one arrives but probably won't have the room to keep it, might have to give up on keeping Bettas if that's the case.

Quote:

With a betta, you feed them food the size of their eye. With bio-gold, they get 3 pellets. It is a tiny amount of food.

I was feeding mine BettaMin Tropical Medley granules :-

http://www.mypetwarehouse.com.au/TET...EY-23GM-p-7766

Just a few granules but once the other fish were introduced I did increase that.

broccoli · 8th August 2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fido666

The fish geek at my LFS said no 2 would be OK in my tank with the number of fish I had, usually his advice is pretty reliable.

I'd always do my own research and make up my own mind. Opinions vary and at the end of the day, they're your pets and you need to do your best for them and decide what that is. I've found that some aquarium shop staff will tell you that something is ok because they want to make a sale.

It might not have been stress from the other fish, he could have caught something, or whatever.

fido666 · 8th August 2012, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broccoli

It might not have been stress from the other fish, he could have caught something, or whatever.

Sadly a part of fishkeeping

MUTMAN · 8th August 2012, 4:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangcla

Anyone interested in five congo tetras and two (possibly false) Siamese algae eaters?

try this thread
but only if they are free/giveaway......

Optimus. · 12th August 2012, 9:15 PM

Started my prep this weekend. I've got a 25lt bag of organic potting mix soaking in a big plastic tub in the garage. I've stirred it up about 5 times and scooped all the floating bits out so that should mean there's little chance of it messing up the tank.

I added a cup full of water from the small tank we have now to kick-start the good bacteria process. Now I'll let it sit until the new tank comes. Simple stuff but feels great to have made a start.

Now I need to think about plants and pick up a piece of wood to start soaking as well.

tangcla · 12th August 2012, 9:19 PM

7th August 2012, 9:28 PM	#4803
Optimus. Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,983	Thanks for the advice! Love hearing from those with experience in the area. I was planning on soaking the soil for a while longer in a covered plastic tub in the laundry (next to one soaking some driftwood). Would this be the same as sealing it in an aquarium? And while I'm here () we have a 1x2ft tank at the moment and I was going to use one half of the sponge from it's filter as the kickstarter for the upcoming tank (4x2ft). Would this be done after the settled soil to start cycling the tank or would cycling the tank start with the soil prep? So you didn't have any trouble growing plants with just gravel?

7th August 2012, 10:29 PM	#4806
tangcla Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 7,257	Anyone interested in five congo tetras and two (possibly false) Siamese algae eaters? __________________ www.tangcla.com - photography Canon 5D Mark III x2 \| 16-35mm f/2.8L \| 24-70mm f/2.8L \| 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 100mm f/2.8L IS macro \| 580EX-II x2 \| 430EX-II \| PocketWizard TT1/TT5

12th August 2012, 9:19 PM	#4815
tangcla Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 7,257	__________________ www.tangcla.com - photography Canon 5D Mark III x2 \| 16-35mm f/2.8L \| 24-70mm f/2.8L \| 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 100mm f/2.8L IS macro \| 580EX-II x2 \| 430EX-II \| PocketWizard TT1/TT5

7th August 2012, 9:01 PM	#4801
Optimus. Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,983	Anyone here running a dirted tank? I'm hoping to establish some plants in mine and wondered if there were any tips. I've been seeing videos of people using potting mix and soaking it for a while in a tub and removing the fertiliser pellets and mulch that floats to the top. Is this a safe option for a new setup? I'm planning on having the tank up for 2 weeks or so to cycle and give the plants time to settle in before adding fish. I'm also getting a layer of 3mm gravel/sand which I could use to cap the dirt layer in the tank.

7th August 2012, 10:21 PM	#4805
Optimus. Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,983	Thank you very much for your detailed reply. Much appreciated. I hear your warnings and note your planted success with your gravel substrate. I have had a look and a bit of a sift through the potting mix I found and it's quite plain (not nutrient boosted). There are some large chunks of mulch and organics though so I think it'll be suitable for tank use. I shall begin the soaking process tomorrow night - I reckon we're a month out at least from the tank/cabinet actually arriving. Please feel free to roll out with the 'I told you so' when it all goes to shit. Also if I use dirt, I won't need to buy more gravel as I think the amount I've got will spread too thinly to cover the tank floor by itself. Should be enough to cap the soil though. Your great photo has raised a couple of OT questions re: plants. Namely, what two types do you have in there? Is that thin java fern in the back? What's the carpet? Do you need to trim those plants to keep them from going unruly and taking over? I like the covered rocks. We will have at least one 2.5" bristlenose in the tank and maybe 2 other small catfish to help keep things tidy. Given that our tank will be by the base of the stairs and visible from all sides, in my mind I'm thinking of having a nice central bit of driftwood as an 'island' and a few clumps of long & thin leafed plants around the tank. Also a mostly carpeted bed. Still deciding whether to repurpose the blue rocks from the current tanks in to a stream through the carpet (too wanky me thinks)!

12th August 2012, 9:15 PM	#4814
Optimus. Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,983	Started my prep this weekend. I've got a 25lt bag of organic potting mix soaking in a big plastic tub in the garage. I've stirred it up about 5 times and scooped all the floating bits out so that should mean there's little chance of it messing up the tank. I added a cup full of water from the small tank we have now to kick-start the good bacteria process. Now I'll let it sit until the new tank comes. Simple stuff but feels great to have made a start. Now I need to think about plants and pick up a piece of wood to start soaking as well.