Hi,
I have maintained a low tech 180l tank for about 7-8 years now. I started with Tetra Complete capped with some silica sand from Homebase, supplemented with some root tabs and a weekly dose of fert during water changes. I have had varying degrees of success but have always struggled to get certain plants to remain planted, which I have put down to the sand substrate so it's time for a change. I've also struggled to grow certain plants but this could be down to the low-tech/low lights approach. One of the main reasons for a re-scape though is duck weed. I have been plagued with the stuff for years so it's finally time to start again. I don't really have anywhere to put the fish for this rescape other than lots of B&Q buckets so I'm hoping this will be done the same day.
If I am sticking with low-tech and plants such as anubias, java fern, mosses and crypts, would ADA aquasoil be overkill? This scape is going to last a few years so again, would ADA aquasoil be wasted and would it last that long? If I stick the aquasoil in buckets, how long will it take for the ammonia to leech out so that it's safe to use? Do you have to carry out water changes during this soaking process or can you just leave it for 3-4 weeks? Do you still have to add ferts when using aquasoil?
My local Pets At Home stocks Tropica Plant substrate but I cannot find many people that use it, let alone pictures. Can anyone recommend gravel/sand to cap it with? I was thinking coarser stuff at the back for the planted area and fine sand at the front. It needs to be cory friendly and I'm looking for a natural river look if that helps. I like the look of some of the ADA sand, just not the price. It looks like it would cost about the same as using aqasoil though. Is the Tropica substrate on a par with aquasoil?
I have maintained a low tech 180l tank for about 7-8 years now. I started with Tetra Complete capped with some silica sand from Homebase, supplemented with some root tabs and a weekly dose of fert during water changes. I have had varying degrees of success but have always struggled to get certain plants to remain planted, which I have put down to the sand substrate so it's time for a change. I've also struggled to grow certain plants but this could be down to the low-tech/low lights approach. One of the main reasons for a re-scape though is duck weed. I have been plagued with the stuff for years so it's finally time to start again. I don't really have anywhere to put the fish for this rescape other than lots of B&Q buckets so I'm hoping this will be done the same day.
If I am sticking with low-tech and plants such as anubias, java fern, mosses and crypts, would ADA aquasoil be overkill? This scape is going to last a few years so again, would ADA aquasoil be wasted and would it last that long? If I stick the aquasoil in buckets, how long will it take for the ammonia to leech out so that it's safe to use? Do you have to carry out water changes during this soaking process or can you just leave it for 3-4 weeks? Do you still have to add ferts when using aquasoil?
My local Pets At Home stocks Tropica Plant substrate but I cannot find many people that use it, let alone pictures. Can anyone recommend gravel/sand to cap it with? I was thinking coarser stuff at the back for the planted area and fine sand at the front. It needs to be cory friendly and I'm looking for a natural river look if that helps. I like the look of some of the ADA sand, just not the price. It looks like it would cost about the same as using aqasoil though. Is the Tropica substrate on a par with aquasoil?