Hello from South Africa

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Sweet set ups! Even though you have many, all look well taken care of. I like how all your tanks look natural and definitely love the barrel pond!

Here are some sections you would probably post in:
Do it Yourself Projects: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?30-DIY-Projects-and-Ideas
Planted tanks: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?26-Planted-Tank-and-Aquascaping
Filtration: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?29-Setup-and-Filtration

Looking forward to more pictures

 

[Excedrin102]

Awesome tanks and cute little cat and good luck with new projects.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[AquasafeSystems]

Welcome!!

 

[Red Devil]

welcome to mfk Luthier.. i have to tell you that your tanks are super impressive ..just beautiful and classy... wow

 

[Mount_Prion]

Wow, really really nice setups.

Dig the barrel!

And I've always loved carnivorous plants since I was a kid and bought one of those flytraps in a cup. What kind of conditions do you need in the water table to keep carnivorous plants with aquaria?

 

[Barry.M]

Hi all, A quick update...

As i said before, I received some rather rare aquatic plants (rare here in South Africa!) last week, so have set up one of my spare 2 foot tanks. I used my own substrate mix, consisting of sieved garden top soil. mixed with laterite... (Unscented, untreated kitty litter.) The mix is a 40/60 mix. (40% Kitty litter to 60% top soil.)
The kitty litter or Laterite, was mixed into a creamy paste with water and then mixed into the top soil. I then spread this onto the tank floor to a depth of about 1 cm (about a half an inch,) using a small plastering trowel. I capped this mix with about 3 cm (about 1 and a half inches) of washed pool filter sand, (course grade.) Then placed a sheet of plastic on top of everything, half filled the tank, removed the plastic sheet, (VERY SLOWLY, as I didn't want to disturb the cap,) and planted. After planting, I filled the rest of the tank, set up a small external canister filter, lighting, heater, dosed the water with Microbe-lift bio carbon and Microbe-lift Bloom and Grow and left it to do it's thing!
Here are a few pix taken earlier today. I kept the substrate as level as possible throughout the tank as it is not going to be scaped at all.

 

[Barry.M]

 

[Barry.M]

This is the mixing process. WARNING! The Laterite gets pretty warm when adding water and mixing... Gloves and a strong stick are advised. Wait until the mix cools down before adding to the top soil. The entire mix should be a stick mix, not runny, but easy to spread with a trowel.

 

[Barry.M]

Sorry, I meant to say: The entire mix should be a stiff mix... Not stick!

I will do an update on the Wabi-Kusa inspired tank soon... I've just realized that the carnivorous plants that I placed into it, cannot have their roots submerged... So will have to think of a way to raise them at least an inch or two above their present level.

 

[Red Devil]

Sorry, I meant to say: The entire mix should be a stiff mix... Not stick!

I will do an update on the Wabi-Kusa inspired tank soon... I've just realized that the carnivorous plants that I placed into it, cannot have their roots submerged... So will have to think of a way to raise them at least an inch or two above their present level.

this is wonderful stuff.... really interesting.. i think you start a thread in the main forums .. alot of people would be awe over this..