My 0.94 gallon New MTS test using Azomite...

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

So I plan to set up my old 0.5g betta cube as a mineralized top soil tank, but instead of using Aaron Talbot's/Sean Murphy's original route to setting up a MTS tank (link below to said posting).

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=152027


Instead of using Potash, and Dolomite to enrich the soil; I'll be using Azomite Powder to enrich the soil for my test. Information of Azomite can be found on links below....

FAQ's
http://azomite.com/index.php?option=...d=60&Itemid=53

Analysis
http://www.azomite.com/index.php?opt...d=38&Itemid=11



So with that said, and information in the above links I plan to go ahead and give it a try. So here we go......

Tank - 0.5 gallon Betta Cube (6"x6"x6").

Filtration - Tom Rapids Nano in-tank filter.

Lighting - Fluval Edge old series halogen lighting w/ upgraded MR-11 6500k LED Bulbs.

Substrate - 1" Topsoil mineralized with Azomite, and chelated Iron, capped by .5" of SeaChem Flourite.

Co2 - DIY Co2 w/ yeast, sugar, and water.


I already have a couple pieces of natural driftwood to use in the tank, and plan on doing a dry start method using some dwarf hairgrass, some java moss, and a couple Echinodorus Tenellus.

Basically this is just to test out the Azomte in a MTS setup, and see the results of it on a planted aquarium. I'll be setting up this experiment this weekend, since I need to clean up the tank, and install a couple of things to get it ready. Pictures will follow upon setting up the tank, and new pictures every week to show any progression and/or failures. I expect to get into more specific details every 15 days, so at the 15 day mark, 30 day mark, 45 day mark, and finally 60 day mark.

So I hope everyone will be patient, and follow along on this experimental MTS route of a planted aquarium.

[moosenart]

pictures.

[DogFish]

Mix ratio data would benefit the rest of the class, professor.


Thanks for doing this thread

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

I finally got the tank cleaned up after sitting empty for 6 months, the next step is to install a barrier are for the filter to fit into but will keep the soil from being sucked into the filter. Pictures to come later tonight, as for the Azomite mix ratio, I'm still contemplating as to how much Azomite will be mixed into the soil.

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

Here's pictures of the tank, and getting it ready to set up. As for the Azomite mixture to soil ratio I went with the following....

2 cups of Top Soil

4 tablespoons of crushed dry clay

1.5 tablespoons of Azomite

1 teaspoon of Chelated Iron

Once I filled the tank with 1" of the Top Soil mixture, I used a spray bottle to wet the mixture down, and covered the tank with plastic wrap. Then tomorrow I'll cap it with .5" of SeaChem Flourite planted substrate and start with the dry start method using dwarf hair grass, java moss, and a couple pigmy chain swords.

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

So things have been put on hold for right now with this tank, because I just ordered a new 7w Mini Light for this tank today.

[MABJ]

This is awesome! Keep us posted


From MABJ's iPhone
2G Fluval Spec ~ fauna and flora in the works!

[gt turbo]

Please do continue to update us. I'm very interested to see the end result.

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

Will do once the new light comes in, but in the mean time I decided to start dosing my 55 gallon planted tank with 1/2 Teaspoon of Azomite every other day, and I have to say Azomite is the beezneez!!!!!

My plants in the 55 gallon tank have doubled in size within the last week, but I can't wait to get back to this project knowing the results Azomite is having on my 55 gallon.

[bitFUUL]

Nice little setup, where'd you get the tank?

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

I got mine from Petsmart, but they no longer carry them. It's the Marina Cubus Betta Cube which you can find here

http://www.herpsupplies.com/product....18764&id=13485



But the light I ordered the other day (pictured above) I ordered it of ebay for $18, if you're looking for the same light fixture just search ebay for MINI LAMP CLIP LIGHT 7w

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

So I think I'll get this tank going tomorrow without the new light, I'll just use the MR-11 65000k LEDS for right now, and then add the new lighting to it once it comes in.

So tomorrow I'll get the Flourite cap rinsed, and ready to add to the tank, then I'll pull the dwarf hair grass out of my 55 gallon tank and get it "thinned out" into a couple "clumps" and put into the tank.

Now here's the thing I'm having "issues" with lol; Should I go with Java Moss, or Fissidens Fontanus on the 2 pieces of "driftwood"? Or should I go with Java Moss on the bigger piece of driftwood, and Fissidens Fontanus on the smaller piece of driftwood????

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

Just so everyone knows, I have multiple sclerosis which has left me unable to work. So things may take a while to do them, but I'm hoping to at least get the flourite planted substrate I put away for this tank rinsed, and get it into the tank today.

As for using Azomite, I'm still adjusting the dosing amount and schedule because I've noticed both good and bad results with dosing my 55 gallon tank with it. Initially the plants took off, and double in size, but after 2 more dosages I noticed the plants starting to take a dive. I believe that I "overdosed" the plants by dosing 1 teaspoon of Azomite every other day. Now I'm going to adjust just how much to dose, and how often to dose.

So once I've got it down packed with dosing size, and schedule I'll let everyone know.

[Steve001]

Instead of dosing I'd find a way to put the Azomite into the deep into substrate.
I have a suspicion repeated daily dosing of Azomite would create a quick build up of excess minerals floating around in the water column. Whereas, Azomite in the substrate would work like MTS and the same way naturally occurring substrates behave.

Here's another link talking about it,
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ralized-3.html

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

So I've decided to scratch off the 0.94 gallon tank, and replace it with a 3 gallon JBJ Picotope. I'm just waiting on some money people owe me then I can order my 3 gallon pico from here

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15493

The price is perfect lol, I plan to get two picotopes, 1 for a planted shrimp tank, and the other will be a mini reef tank.