The point here is to reduce the effort(no water changes, nor labor of any sort really) as well as be algae free(100% everytime).
Other sediments can work fine, if they lack NH4, NO3, PO4 etc, then you will want to add them(ex, SMS).
Soil etc works fine with sand etc as well for those unwilling/wanting a cheaper solution than to use ADA AS.
I had a tank with HC in the lab with delta sediment doing fine.
I took it out and added it to a ADA As tank 1ft sq and it grew in fast.
Since it's not new, why have not more folks described it and come forth with the idea then?
I mean, if you think about it, why wouldn't you do things this way?
Hummm...........
Growing plants emergent for horticulture is hardly new, but why the insistence on growing and starting a new tank submersed? with all the issues that surround starting a new planted tank?
Why hasn't ADA suggested it as well?
Or someone else? It's a good idea and one that would sell itself.
Does not make sense to me personally.
It's sort of obvious, but many things are like that in life.
ADA AS is nice as it has some NH4 already in it, it's relatively cheap, grows most every plant easily etc. I'd suggest using it. 20 gallon tank will run about 30-35$.
That and cheap 2x20w light works fine also, but why suggest that sand is such a great deal when folks spend 100-200$ for a light on such a tank when a 15$ light will do fine?
I mean, we can be cheap about a great many things and put our $ elsewhere, not just sand/sediments etc. Why use reflectors at all in the lights? Use the left over mylar foil potato chip bags if you wanna be cheap
Use sunlight like I do for most of the lab stuff and the HC sitting on my porch
This method works great for that also, I just sit the tanks outside(unless it gets much below 60F) and add ADA soil, weeds and wait.
No light, no electric, no dosing, no water changes, etc.
Such trade offs have little bad points and many good ones for both the techy and the DIY cheapster.
Regards,
Tom Barr