what not to do????

[fishwolfe]

what are n.o.fluorescent bulbs?yes i don't like the yellow the 5000k gives off.on pay day im going to pick up some new bulbs.at the gpas meeting i'm getting some plants from a fellow member.thanks for all your help.

[lescarpentier]

Originally Posted by fishwolfe

what are n.o.fluorescent bulbs?yes i don't like the yellow the 5000k gives off.on pay day im going to pick up some new bulbs.at the gpas meeting i'm getting some plants from a fellow member.thanks for all your help.

Normal Output,

Compared to,

High Output.

[manofmanyfish]

You say you want "low tech" and that you have read a lot.

Have your read "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" by Diana Walstad?

Take a look at this http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...step-step.html

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by manofmanyfish

You say you want "low tech" and that you have read a lot.

Have your read "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" by Diana Walstad?

Take a look at this http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...step-step.html

I know lots of folks have had success with the NPT concept. I set up two tanks side by side: one NPT and the other Tom Barr Low tech. Based on what I observed the plants and fish did considerably better in the Tom Barr Low tech type setup. I spoke to some local folks about their experience with NPT, and they pretty much told me that after a year many of the plant leaves turned yellow and died. They believe that the soil was exhausted. Since Tom Barr's method calls for weekly dosing of ferts, I doubt you would see this in a year, but time will tell.

If you want to go low light. I recommend that you try Tom Barr's low tech method or try the mineralized topsoil method if you want to use soil as a substrate.

[fishwolfe]

thanks manofmanyfish i will look it over.i have been reading the tom barr website too.weekly dosing of ferts is fine with me.thanks again

[manofmanyfish]

Originally Posted by Homer_Simpson

I know lots of folks have had success with the NPT concept. I set up two tanks side by side: one NPT and the other Tom Barr Low tech. Based on what I observed the plants and fish did considerably better in the Tom Barr Low tech type setup.

I'm not voting for either Tom or Diana. They can boast of success, but that doesn't mean that you or I will be successful. They both have something most of us don't have, a life time of experience and knowledge in this arena.

It's kind of like saying that if Rembrandt told you how he painted, you might be able to paint like him.

[fishwolfe]

well i'm going to use the mineralized top soil method for my substrate,then add another light so i'll have approximately 1-1.5watts per gallon.im going to use plants from the low light plant list.since this is all new to me im going with what i think is the most basic set up then work from there.thanks for the advise and help.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by fishwolfe

well i'm going to use the mineralized top soil method for my substrate,then add another light so i'll have approximately 1-1.5watts per gallon.im going to use plants from the low light plant list.since this is all new to me im going with what i think is the most basic set up then work from there.thanks for the advise and help.

Sounds like a good plan. The success of the mineralized topsoil method IMHO probably depends on using a the same topsoil that others have had success with. Barring that if you can get a premade package from TorpedoBarb, that may be the way to go.

[fishwolfe]

that would be a big package.my tank is 6' long by 12" front to back.i'm going out tomorrow to find the pieces required for the soil mixture.

[manofmanyfish]

Please keep us posted on your journey. If I don't get this algae thing under control by this spring, I am thinking of shutting down my high-tech tank and giving the El-Natural a try. So I would like to hear from you as you go forward. Best of luck....I think all of this is really difficult... so I don't want to start over if the El-Natural (low tech) approach is just as difficult as what I'm trying now....I think it will be much easier though.