PLANTS, SOIL, SUBSTRATES
- Thread starter albirdy
- Start date
I posted a thread here a few weeks ago about Mineralized Soil Substrate. This is it.
It is a really cool article that eliminates the need for dosing most fertilizers into the water column (i.e. pouring it in).
I think this might be more along the line you are looking for. Basically you take top soil, add everything aquatic plants need to survive (still lacks enough potassium I have found though) and then make a "Pocket" of it under sand/gravel/what ever you want.
It is a really cool article that eliminates the need for dosing most fertilizers into the water column (i.e. pouring it in).
I think this might be more along the line you are looking for. Basically you take top soil, add everything aquatic plants need to survive (still lacks enough potassium I have found though) and then make a "Pocket" of it under sand/gravel/what ever you want.
I have done it afew ways when i was first starting out. I think the cheapest and best way to go is to get some schultz aquatic soil. Its only $7 a 10lbs bag and its just as good as flourite. You can also top it off with a different substrate to make it look better. Remeber this, substrate when it comes to plants is not so much about having nutrients in it, but being able to properly absorb and transfer nutrients to your plants.
Another thing to think about is whether or not you want a low tech (less then 2 watts a gallon no co2 and no fertz) or high tek (3watts or more, C02, regular fertz). I suggest studing up, http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/ , do this before you start putting plants in or your gonna be kicking yourself later (like me). Either way you go, High or Low tech, Schultz will work, and i would throw in some root tabs (pick those up cheap at any petsmart). If you do some research you will find alot of good inexpensive substraits out there.
Another thing to think about is whether or not you want a low tech (less then 2 watts a gallon no co2 and no fertz) or high tek (3watts or more, C02, regular fertz). I suggest studing up, http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/ , do this before you start putting plants in or your gonna be kicking yourself later (like me). Either way you go, High or Low tech, Schultz will work, and i would throw in some root tabs (pick those up cheap at any petsmart). If you do some research you will find alot of good inexpensive substraits out there.
Also: what is the difference between using different types of lights? (mini compact fluorescent from coral life - (http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealin...684&siId=1382997&catParentID=18361&scId=18361)
and a regular compact fluorescent light?
Also, when you say WPG. Are you talking about CFL watts or Incandescent watts?
CFL Bulb Standard Bulb 15w = 60w 20w = 75w 26w–29w = 100w 38w–42w = 150w 55w = 250w–300w
So, I have a 23 watt CFL over my tank right now. Is that okay for a low-tech tank?
How long do I keep the light on for each day?
and a regular compact fluorescent light?
Also, when you say WPG. Are you talking about CFL watts or Incandescent watts?
CFL Bulb Standard Bulb 15w = 60w 20w = 75w 26w–29w = 100w 38w–42w = 150w 55w = 250w–300w
So, I have a 23 watt CFL over my tank right now. Is that okay for a low-tech tank?
How long do I keep the light on for each day?
CFL, for example CFL 15w=60w, that means a CFL bulb is using 15w of energy but producing 60w of incadescent light. So when i say watts per gallon i am refering to watts of light being Compact flourecent watts. 23 watts would be good for a low tech 10 gallon tank but nothing more so what size tank are you using?
ya but no more then that, you dont want to go over 2 watts a gallon if you want a low tech. Root tabs are at most LFS, like seachems root tabs, you just put these little fertilizer tabs next to your plants for alittle nutrient boost.
seattle_530;1773218; said:
What do you think if I just waited a bit to see if my plants will grow under my current CFL? Or do you think that would be fruitless?
(Oh, and seriously, I am SO grateful that you're so diligently and consistently responding to my questions
)you can try 1 23w bulb, but i think you need at least 1.5 watts a gallon even for low light plants. With low light plants you are gonna get very slow growth because of slow nutrient intake so even with 1.5wpg your not gonna see alot of growth. Your photoperiod (time the lights are on) should be between 8-10 hours a day. Do what you want but i think 1 wpg is low even for a low tech tank. BTW no problem i like to encourage ppl who are starting out in the hobby. I just think your getting catch the bug and start going plant crazy. I have seen very beautiful African cichlid planted tanks. In fact im gonna try one here really soon.
