Miracle Grow Organic - Wal-mart 4.99 bag
Black Diamond - Tractor Supply 8.99 50lbs
Gravel (if not using the Above) HomeDepot
New to Planted Tank and need help~!!!
- Thread starter RoyalPiranha
- Start date
Miracle Grow Organic - Wal-mart 4.99 bag
Black Diamond - Tractor Supply 8.99 50lbs
Gravel (if not using the Above) HomeDepot
I'm thinking I need 4 inches of substrate? So how many bags of miracle grow organic do I need and if I were to choose the black sand as topping, how many bags of that to cover 72 x 24 x 29 foot print? its a bowfront, so it starts at 16" expands to 24"
Is this the right microgrow?
http://jimmycrackedcorn.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/390621.jpg
Also, what other colors can I choose besides black topping that will do the work at that price?
Is this the right microgrow?
http://jimmycrackedcorn.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/390621.jpg
Also, what other colors can I choose besides black topping that will do the work at that price?
Jason, the minerlize the soil method...it says I have to fertlize minimally once a week if i read that correctly. Does flourite eliminate the process to mantain the substrate?
4" is to much .. 1 1/2 to 1 1/2 (1 1/2 miracle grow to 1 1/2 cap) The Miracle grow you want is the one that has chicken poop not cow dung. There are two types Potting mix and Garden Soil, If I am not mistaken I used the Garden Soil. Just check the lable and make sure its the one with chicken poop.
I bought 2 bags of the black cap (75gal) had a qtr of the bag left. Found out my cap wasnt big enough and used the rest of that bag and a small amount of the second.
You can choose what ever you wish for the cap, as long as its fine. If you can find fine gravel use it. The only draw back to the black diamond sand is that it is VERY fine (and heavy) therefore there is no oxygen exchange, and roots need oxygen. So I have to use Trumpet Snail to keep my soil aerated. The Black Diamond is 8.99 for a 50lbs bag, so there isnt much that competes with that price.
The thing to remember is that MTS is NOT a substatue for Fertz, yes you can add ferts to the soil before you drowned it but eventually they will be consumed. What MTS is, is a cheaper planted substrate than whats available on todays market for LARGER tanks. It would have cost me +100.00 for my 75, whereas this was close to $25. I still use root tabs and I dose PMDD daily. So MTS is not (nor really any planted substrate) a substatute for dosing.
I actually had available when I put this system together 2 bags of flourite, and I laid it in first. Then I laid Dolomite and about a pound of clay. Sure if you have the florite and you dont have any use for it, throw it in there..It wont hurt.
Here is what I would do differently if I had it to do all over.
1. I would have soaked my Miracle grow for a couple of weeks. I dumped straight from the bag.
2. I would have removed those large pieces of mulch.
The most important thing to remember about this process is BUILT UP AIR. On a daily basis you will have to press on the substrate to evacuate air build up. If you dont you could have a massive (fart) release which could destroy an entire corner of the tank. To this day I still have tiny bubbles release from the subsrtate (setup this tank 6 months ago) but tiny is OK, its the LARGE ones that you dont want.
Ok concerns after reading and pondering ...if i choose to go with the organic miracle grow dirt method with black diamond sand top off, how likely is it that the fishes will be affected? Say I was able to get the ammonia down to zero, what kind of maintenance am I talking about going forward? With a baby on the way, I like to keep the maintenance to a minimum which is why dirt was a hesitation for me. An all fluorite sand I assume would beeen easier. I dont want to lose my fishes due to a rookie mistake....so please share your thoughts..
So should I even worry about the dirt issue? what's the maintenance like? I'm assume i have to press down on it for the first few weeks until all the air is released and then cycle the tank. Buy trumpet snails to keep it from having air pocket build up?
If I choose diamond sand, and only that is substrate, I can just put root tabs to keep plants alive and cycle the tank?
or if i choose flourite sand as base substrate and diamond sand as top off, I just get snails and cycle the tank. Not having to worry as much as dirt being messy and the initial ammonia and gas air pockets.
I believe i mentioned some thread before using flourite sand on top of dirt and you asked why? I like the look of sand instead of dirt, and i thought flourite sand would be better than the black diamond sand. I didnt have to buy 2" worth of it, so it would be cheaper.
Seems like those are my three options.
So should I even worry about the dirt issue? what's the maintenance like? I'm assume i have to press down on it for the first few weeks until all the air is released and then cycle the tank. Buy trumpet snails to keep it from having air pocket build up?
If I choose diamond sand, and only that is substrate, I can just put root tabs to keep plants alive and cycle the tank?
or if i choose flourite sand as base substrate and diamond sand as top off, I just get snails and cycle the tank. Not having to worry as much as dirt being messy and the initial ammonia and gas air pockets.
I believe i mentioned some thread before using flourite sand on top of dirt and you asked why? I like the look of sand instead of dirt, and i thought flourite sand would be better than the black diamond sand. I didnt have to buy 2" worth of it, so it would be cheaper.
Seems like those are my three options.
1. If they are affected it will be by your mistake NOT the dirt. Make sure your water is ok before placing fish in there, or ANY living creature (even snails) You can also
add (if you use a canister) Purigen, it helps the Tannis in the beginning. Dont bother tring to recharge it.
2. NONE, thats the wonderful thing about black sand and dirt. The only time I use my vacuum is when I am doing my WC.
3. Dirts fun IMO, one fun thing is looking under the tank at all the roots.
4. Refer to #2
5. You can cycle while your pressing. I planned ahead, I purchased a new canister for this 75 (at that time I was running a 55)
so I hooked up the new canister to the 55 to seed the canister. INSTANT cycle for the 75, think that process through.
6. BUY??? I will mail you as many as you want for flat rate shipping cost.
7. YES, but you will still need snail for just SAND.
8. CORRECT that will work. If you do have air pockets they should be minimal. The only reason I am not a fan of this process for bigger tanks
is the COST. 20$ a bag and for a 125 you would need atleast 7-9 bags.
9. Let me clear the air about sand. ANY SAND.. It really isnt the BEST cap because it restricts air flow to the roots. If you can find
gravel that is small USE IT instead of black sand. The only reason I asked why was again THE COST factor.
Substribe to Dustins Fish Tanks on YouTube.. There are tons of videos of his tanks and they are ALL DIRTED.
My setup is a 55 gallon sump tank. no cannisters............but sir......may I add that you are truly knowledgable and all respect given! This is veryyyyyyyyy useful information in this thread and you sir are the reason!
Thank you ...I will likely go with Miracle Grow and Black Diamond Sand to save cost. Looks like I cant get away from snails. So when you say if there are issues with water, its my fault...now I thought perhaps later there are air gaps in the dirt that can cause this problem killing the fish. Ammonia is not an issue. I already have an establish fish tank, so I can grab some of the media from there to start the cycle.
Thanks again man!
I have a PenPlax Canister for sell (1000 model) BIG OLE baskets. Its brand new basically, the manuf mailed me a new head. All it needs is the 5/8 hose and a return (inlet) ITS awesom. I have 2 of them on my 75gal = 200gal of filtration. There is so many options for Canisters, I hate HOBS.
AS long as the bubbles are TINY its fine. Thats why its important to press the substrate on regular bases. Now the question I have for you is ARE you going to SLOPE the back of the tank?
not sure what the aquascape's going to be yet, but what about the slope? i like the sump for filatration, I have filter and media pads in there. It's kept my 90 gallon healthy for quite some time.
OHHH so you're going to be running a sump on this...Ok thats where my experiance ends. LOL never done a sump before.
The slope has been used more recently for scaping purposes and Also for those HEAVY rooters. Its also used for "layering" purposes especially in Dutch inspired tanks.
The slope has been used more recently for scaping purposes and Also for those HEAVY rooters. Its also used for "layering" purposes especially in Dutch inspired tanks.
