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Help and advice on lowtech
- Thread starter liamb2324
- Start date
The Fluval stuff is one of the 'Gucci' planted tank substrates. They're all really expensive but have the advantage of being less messy and probably not needing a cap. The J Arthur Bowers will just be normal pond compost and should work fine. Not entirely sure what it's make up is, but I'd expect it raise hardness a bit as discussed.
There was also this at the local nurseries but just going to b n q to see what they have. If you was going to started a newly planted tank which compost would u go out and buy? Im not in no rush to put fish in just want it all to get stable first
sciencefiction
Member
- Joined
- 26 Feb 2013
- Messages
- 3,412
I used this one: Homebase Top Soil - 25L from Homebase.co.uk
It's topsoil,so it's actual soil and works great.
It did not alter my water stats and I've got hard water(ph 7.4, Kh-8, Gh-12)
I got decent growth but I also have red earthenware clay mixed with it(just 5-10%)
It's topsoil,so it's actual soil and works great.
It did not alter my water stats and I've got hard water(ph 7.4, Kh-8, Gh-12)
I got decent growth but I also have red earthenware clay mixed with it(just 5-10%)
Nice. I'd leave it without water in until you've planted, makes it much easier.
PS, you might find you get quite a lot of tannins from the soil at the start - regular water changes or some carbon/purigen in the filter should clear it up easily if you don't like the look.
PS, you might find you get quite a lot of tannins from the soil at the start - regular water changes or some carbon/purigen in the filter should clear it up easily if you don't like the look.
roadmaster
Member
Would suggest when filling the tank to run water into shallow dish set upon the substrate.
Much less clouding of water this way if you don't run the tap wide open.
I filled my tank half full before planting due to large plant's that just wanted to fold over making planting more tedious than need be.
If plant's are small however,,makes little difference.
Much less clouding of water this way if you don't run the tap wide open.
I filled my tank half full before planting due to large plant's that just wanted to fold over making planting more tedious than need be.
If plant's are small however,,makes little difference.
Iv already filled the tank and did what u had mentioned and its crystal clear. Iv ordered 2 types of carpet plants but im still undecided whether to do a mountain look as the main feature or just get a branchy piece of driftwood?
Well just been to the LFS to get some pieces of bogwood for the main feature and they had offers on potted plants 4 for £10 so got some java fern, vallis and 2 others im not sure they will do good but if not i can send them upto my mothers tank. Here are some pictures of the plants and also them in the tank.
Identification on the 2 tall leafy plants would be brill. Just waiting for my 2 carpet plants to get here tomorrow and then just a waiting game.
Identification on the 2 tall leafy plants would be brill. Just waiting for my 2 carpet plants to get here tomorrow and then just a waiting game.
They're defintiely swords (Echinodorus) of some sort. The larger ones are probably E. radicans/cordifolius, not sure about the others.
Should be pretty straight forward to grow. Be aware that the leaves they've got now are from growing emersed (out of water) and will slowly die off and be replaced by submerged leaves, which are different shape. This is totally normal so don't get disheartened when they start dropping leaves.
Should be pretty straight forward to grow. Be aware that the leaves they've got now are from growing emersed (out of water) and will slowly die off and be replaced by submerged leaves, which are different shape. This is totally normal so don't get disheartened when they start dropping leaves.
Ok as always very helpful thank you. Just going to get some moss and circle rocks to put on the right handside of the tank for baby shrimps and adults to hide and forage in now. Then just let it grow and see how it turns out for my 1st time. But do you think another long driftwood coming out of the other 2 would look good? And yes 1 is the e cordifolius as i tried to look it up on my phone whilst in the shop to see if it would be suitable but the internet wouldnt work so took a chance
Well got my in vitro eleocharis acicularis, lilaeopsis and a free sample of eleocharis parvula. So washed the gel of and broke it all up into smallish pieces and put it in the tank i put the acicularis at the front right and middle. I put the parvula at the front left and around the bogwood then i put the eleocharis at the back. So i hope i put it all in ok but realised i didnt get all the gel of. But heres some pictures. Advice and comments appreciated
