n8_crizzle's 29g dirted tank journal
 

Hey everybody, I decided to start a journal for the tank that I recently started. it is a 29g that I got from craigslist for $40 with a stand. Here is a vid of the first step...the dirt. More to come, thanks for checking it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZqbA4nFi7w

n8

The build.
 

Here is the tank when I was putting the Miracle Gro in it.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...4B8CC-orig.jpg
Cutting up the clay for the plants. I pushed these chunks all the way down into the MG
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...B5240-orig.jpg
Capping the MG with play sand from Home Depot.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...4BE91-orig.jpg
Here is the driftwood I am using. I have had this for a while, they have been in 2 tanks so far.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...3DD18-orig.jpg
Here is my lil' 10g that i was using to hold the plants I was getting. Took me a while to start this 29g project.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...52650-orig.jpg
tank planted and filled. it sat like this for 48 hrs with the filter running from the 10g.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...49515-orig.jpg
Had to mod the eclipse hood that came with it. it was broke anyway.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...5C8C8-orig.jpg
Tank after a 50% WC. I decided to breakdown the 10g for now so I grabbed the rest of the plants that were in there and threw them in. Some more Blyxa and the spiral val in the right corner.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...33D44-orig.jpg
Decided to make this a swordtail tank. haven't had them in a while so why not. I got some emerald swords (that's what the LFS said they were). Also, the female was preggers so I have 7 fry that are doing awesome. these where the residents of the 10g.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...A70A5-orig.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...436C0-orig.jpg

here is what is in the tank:

Flora
Ludwigia arcuata
Staurogyne 'tropica 49'
Jungle val
Spiral val
Blyxa Japonica
Water sprite

Fauna
9 Swordtails
3 Ghost shrimp...I know, they were cheap and I never had shrimp before.

Thanks for checking it out.

n8

Dirt tanks FOR THE WIN!!! All my tanks are dirted! Kick ass man

I think the Ludwigia arcuata and Blyxa Japonica would do better with API root tabs

TwoStrokeKing - Yeah, I have been wanting to try it...watched all of dustin's vid on youtube.

Hilde - I don't have any root tabs, first time keeping both plants...wanted to see how they do in the dirt. I had them in flourite and they did alright, new growth...the Blyxa was kinda hurting though. I think it was an algea issue, not sure though. we will see.

Tanks been up for 3 days now, I'm excited to see how the tanks does. I see little bubbles pop out every once in a while. I have some MTS that should be here today. I have to upgrade the light also, I'm using the crappy eclipse light till I can purchase one.

Thanks for the feedback,

n8

Most whom grow blyxa inject Co2. Since it is a green plant may be able to get it to adjust with ferts as suggested. Ludwiga will turn green if it doesn't have enough light. Sometimes can get it to turn bronze with iron which is in the tabs.

great tank. love the wood. fyi i have no problem growing blyxa in soil tanks with or without co2.

Great to know. :proud: So many proclaim must inject Co2. I don't want to fool with it for many reasons. Does it grow differently without Co2 injected?

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I was using DIY co2 in my 10g, still thinking about it for this one. Got some MTS from pianofish, shout out! was cool to see them start to dig into the sand. I hope some of them made it through this Georgia heat, hopefully some are just tired ;).
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/...DD7B5-orig.jpg

Update video for my journal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWRiD_wVkak

n8

7 day update video...I will have some pics soon for those who don't care for the vids. Thanks for checking it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M02mr...el_video_title

n8

How long is your light period. May help get green algae under control with 6hr light period.

Hilde - I think it's a 9 hr light period...I was thinking about changing that, just never got around to it. I think with the dirt in there, there is a lot of extra nutrients...have to find the balance. thanks for the info

That is probably what is causing the algae then. Plus may be going through a cycle. This reminds me of someone whom had green water in a tank whom had MTS substrate. The plants weren't affected thus he just left it alone and it went away in time.

Yeah I was thinking about going that route too...just lower the light period and let the plants get the upper hand...I have had a lot of growth in the last week and that's with the stock hood lights (plant bulbs) and the extra 13w daylight lamp...like the vid said, no bulbs yet, Disney World is expensive so they are on hold till payday. I'm wondering if doing DIY CO2 will help, I do like the idea of not having to deal with it though ;)