Questions on Tom Barr's "dry tank" startup method

2027 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ovenmit331, Jan 25, 2008

ovenmit331

Discussion Starter · Jan 15, 2008 (Edited)

I read up on Tomm Barr's (plantbrain) thread about starting up the foreground plants in a "dry" method. I'm VERY happy I found this as it seems very very user friendly and eases the setup/planting/grow-out time GREATLY. Thanks to him for bringing this to the forefront!

I'm starting up a new ADA Mini-M for my office and am definitely going to use this method, with some minor changes. I've already got the Mini canister ready for use, and it'll take a lot of patience to not fill the tank up, but it should be worth it.

I do have quite a few questions though...

I'm a big fan of the science experiment, and I think that's what I'm gonna do with this one. Kinda see if what I'm planning will work. First lemme tell ya what I know I'm using and then I'll ask about the variables and advice.

Changing the substrate to Aquasoil Amazonia II. 3 or 9 liters for a Mini-M? Anywhere to get it besides ADGShop.com?

I'll have some seiryu stones for the hardscape. Substrate in a sloping manor. To keep the hill's wet I'll prop the tank up. It'll have hairgrass and anubias nana petite for sure. No co2 once up and running, just excel. I'll be running the 27w home depot robocop light.

Should I mist the covered tank with water?

Should I mist the covered tank with excel?

Should I mist the covered tank with some water/fert mixture?

If so, what mixture?

What about using these plants in this setup? Will they work emersed or will they die?
Hygro Polysperma
e.tenellus
m.minuta

Once I get some feedback, I'll edit this post with answers in bold and such. Also, if I've asked any ridiculous questions or sound stupid, forgive me, just trying to learn as much as I can about a new way to do something before I just jump in.

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ValorG

· #2 · Jan 15, 2008

I have never done this before but I have heard of people using peat moss or garden soil under the gravel. Never heard of potting soil being used though, it may be too rich in nutrients for aquarium use. I actually use that aquatic soil in my 20 gal planted and its ok for now, just very light and easily moves around.

No need to dose excel as since this is immersed, the plants get their carbon from the air. I cant answer the rest of your fertilizer questions but i'll tell you that for my lil emmersed project I just soak the sand enough with water from my planted tank, which gets EI dosing with dry ferts.

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Gatekeeper

· #3 · Jan 16, 2008

My head hurts.

If you have it already try it. Don't start getting crazy with with an emersed setup. Mist, don't mist, just go for it.

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plantbrain

· #4 · Jan 16, 2008

It's suppose to be simple, use a nutrient rich, that means macro ferts, sediment, then keep it saturated with water, with the water levels slightly below the top surface.

Wet roots, dry leaves.

Cover tank, need not be 100% airtight, a glass lid, plastic etc works fine.

ADA aqua soil works great, cost is pretty good vs other brands, looks good once you flood the tank etc, soil and dirt, loam, clays etc are cheaper, kitty litter is clay as well..........

I think overall, given the cost and the other trade offs, the few extra $ for the ADA AS, is well worth it.

Naw, you do not ahve to use it, nor any commercial product, but then again, the same can be said for adding CO2, high light etc, folks still do it and like the trade offs.

This method is suppose to be simple, do not complicate it.
Same with EI, and non CO2 and marine plants etc.
KISS.

Regards,
Tom Barr

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ovenmit331

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 21, 2008

plantbrain said:
It's suppose to be simple, use a nutrient rich, that means macro ferts, sediment, then keep it saturated with water, with the water levels slightly below the top surface.

Wet roots, dry leaves.

Cover tank, need not be 100% airtight, a glass lid, plastic etc works fine.

ADA aqua soil works great, cost is pretty good vs other brands, looks good once you flood the tank etc, soil and dirt, loam, clays etc are cheaper, kitty litter is clay as well..........

I think overall, given the cost and the other trade offs, the few extra $ for the ADA AS, is well worth it.

Naw, you do not ahve to use it, nor any commercial product, but then again, the same can be said for adding CO2, high light etc, folks still do it and like the trade offs.

This method is suppose to be simple, do not complicate it.
Same with EI, and non CO2 and marine plants etc.
KISS.

Regards,
Tom Barr

goin with ADA Aquasoil Amazonia II. KISS right? i'll just put the rest of that Schultz AquaSoil in my roomates plain gravel 55g...

now, how much to get? for a mini-m? 3 liters? 9 liters?

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gotcheaprice

· #6 · Jan 21, 2008

Look at the adg site and it'll say how much you need.

Also, not sure about the other plants, but m.minuta has a very different emersed state than it's submerged. It'll grow tall and leggy with I think 3/4 lobes, but the submerged state is small and compact with 1 lobe.

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ovenmit331

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 21, 2008

gotcheaprice said:
Look at the adg site and it'll say how much you need.

Also, not sure about the other plants, but m.minuta has a very different emersed state than it's submerged. It'll grow tall and leggy with I think 3/4 lobes, but the submerged state is small and compact with 1 lobe.

found a little information...

adgshop.com said:
AQUARIUM SIZE AQUA SOIL
ADA 60cm (24in. X 12in.) = U.S. 15 gal. 1- 9 liter bag

Standard U.S. 20 gallon (high or long) 1- 9 liter bag + 1- 3 liter bag

ADA 90cm (36in. X 18in.) = U.S. 58 gal. 3- 9 liter bags

ADA 120cm (48in. X 18in.) = U.S. 75 gal. 4- 9 liter bags

ADA 180cm (72in. X 24in.) = U.S. 180 gal. 9- 9 liter bags

*note that a a 9 liter bag of is approximately 20 lbs.

i'm thinkin 1 3 liter bag would work since the mini-m is about 5 gallons and a 15gallon needs 9 (1 to 3 ratio) and a 20 gallon needs 3 more than a 15 gallon...

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gotcheaprice

· #8 · Jan 21, 2008

Actually doesn't work that way exactly, but email Jeff or ask whoever you're getting your AS from. Never noticed that it didn't say for the cubes xD

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ovenmit331

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 21, 2008

gotcheaprice said:
Actually doesn't work that way exactly, but email Jeff or ask whoever you're getting your AS from. Never noticed that it didn't say for the cubes xD

yeah, i know it has to do with the exact area you're covering, but i figured it'd be close. and i doubt i'd need 6 Liters so i went ahead and ordered 1 3 liter bag.

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ovenmit331

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 25, 2008

i've got the emmersed thing up and running. here's the journal...

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/p...ew-emersed-ada-mini-m-journal.html#post519258

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