dirt planted tanks? and lighting

[FreshyFresh]

I'd personally rather keep a substrate I can actually work with and one where I can control what's in it. Every "plant" substrate has a finite lifespan to it.
I've not done "difficult" plants, but I think I'd rather drag my arse through broken glass than use dirt in my substrate. Sand frustrates me. I couldn't imagine dirt. I ran Caribsea FloraMax substrate in a little planted 10g for a few years. Super dusty stuff.

The Finnex 24/7 fixture will work, but like said, you'll have to gear your setup and plants to work with it.

 

[fisheatfish]

Can you imagine dirt in 150 gallon tank? That's what I did. I may try it again later...definitely a lot of work.

 

[freak78]

Forgot to mention I run four 36" finnex planted plus leds on my 125. Seems to Work well.

 

[jonah h2o]

thanks guys, I was going to do aqua soil not literal dirt if thats what some of you meant. in an I deal world I would do a 48x18x18 tank and 4 kessil tuna suns (dream).

 

[Fat Homer]

^ If you are going to dream, might as well dream big and add on all the bells and whistles while you're at it

 

[jonah h2o]

yeah, I've considered selling my big tank (not replacing it as I had planed on doing) and spending all money on this. ill keep updated once I get this tank

 

[Fat Homer]

^ honestly, i wouldnt sell your large tank just to do a planted tank, because chances are your first tank may fail miserably and really drive you mad (i know mind did)...

But if you're willing to keep learning from your mistakes then it can eventually become quite enjoyable especially the aquascaping part...

 

[fisheatfish]

I agree with Homer. I have a second tank with central/SA cichlids & a school of clown loaches in which I pay very little attention to. My focus has been so much on the planted tank. Dialing in on what plants need or lacking what nutrients and fighting algae. I just learned another use for hydrogen peroxide (took care of my hair algae issue).

 

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

I don't know when it comes to a dirted tank I've had great success with Mineralized Topsoil, yes it was a pain in the arse having to soak then dry the dirt 3 times over, but in the end it was worth it because the process brings out the nutrients to immediately be available to the plants.

I've had success with Aquasoil Amazonia, had success with all natural kitty litter, had success with first layer pure laterite capped with gravel... But my main substrate of choice is (70) flourite / (30) floramax mix...

I have a specific way I set up my planted tanks... I use empty capsules each filled with only csm+b, some with only muriate of potash (0-0-60 potassium), some with only osmocote+ buried deep into the substrate and I flood the tank and let it run for a week. This floods the tank with nutrients for the substrate to soak up, and after I add plants to the tank after a week there's enough nutrients to get the plants started off.

After the plants have in the tank for a week then I start my EI dosing regime, and by this time the plants have started showing new growth and the dosing regime keeps the tank going with fresh nutrients!!!