"Michael" wrote in message
...
Following the advice of my neighbor, one month ago I set up a 15
gallon
planted tank with 1" potting soil and then 1" of black quartz. This
turned
out to be a big disaster. The fertilizer fueled massive algae growth.
The
potting soil turned the water brown/green. Finally, two shrimp
started to
die (I saved them by putting them in my neighbor's tank) and a
bristlenose
died. Now I follow the advice of this group instead of my neighbor!
I want to rebuild my tank without the potting soil. I bought a
special
substrate for plants that is similar to potting soil but is safe for
aquariums. It's called JBL AquaBasis Plus
(http://www.jbl.de/uk/aqua/uk_20212.html). Here's what it says for
this
substrate:
"Contains all essential nutrients such as iron, minerals and trace
elements.
The clay particles act as a nutrient store, binding excess nutrients
and
releasing as required.
Does not require mixing with gravel.
Does not contain nitrates and phosphates which promote the growth of
algae.
JBL Aquabasis plus contains the full range of vital nutrients as well
as
iron and trace elements which aquarium plants need for healthy and
strong
growth. These nutrients are provided in depot form and are fully
accessible
and available to the root of the plants. JBL AquaBasis plus promotes
rapid
rooting and results in healthy and strong root development."
The directions say to cover it with gravel or sand. One person told
me to
skip the special substrate and just use sand only. I'd like to get
some
feedback on using sand only. The advantages are that it's easier and
the
layers won't mix. The disadvantage is that I do not believe the
plants will
do as well. This probably isn't a big issue because I just want a few
plants (it's a small tank and the light is only 15 watts so I'm very
limited
in the plants I can have) and I don't need them to grow like crazy. I
just
need them to not die. I know I can add iron tablets to the sand if
needed,
and some Malaysian Trumpet Snails would keep the sand stirred up and
aerated.
So should I return the special substrate and go with sand only?
Thanks a lot for your advice,
Michael
I am a big fan of sand and plain gravel. It lasts forever and is inert.
I am a fan of Seachem's gravel conditioner and use them once per year.
Seachem recommends them even for their Flourite substrate. It seems a
fad to spend a ton of money on some fancy cat litter (they just use a
clay that contains the perceived nutrients of desire). Sand alone
really does not compact and is easily moved around. If you mix in some
gravel it compacts fairly well.... Its desirable for regions in the
substrate to be without O2. This allows for the release of many
nutrients that are oxidized.... If you use Flourite or whatever, this
O2 less zone if where its gonna be good.
I feed live Blackworms and have noticed that they thrive in substrate,
even in the deeper zones like 4 inches deep in gravel. Since I noticed
this, I add them to all my planted tanks so they can do what they do
best....dig and eat. Seems like a good thing for my substrate.
In addition to the gravel conditioner, I use the plant spikes....broken
into 1/3 size pieces for use around my heavy root feeders. Not sure who
made the ones I am using....probably Jobes......I bought them from some
Aquatic on-line place a few years ago.
I have tried various substrates and setups including UGF. These days I
am into sand only and in a couple sand/gravel mixes..... Maybe on my
next one I will try a sand and UGF.....I am curious if this would work
even better than gravel/UGF...
Good luck and try and not spend too much money.....
)