Joined
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364 Posts
I've had planted tanks for about 20 years now with some successes and some failures. I've always used either Flourite or sand. I would use root tabs when I remembered but mostly relied on fish poo and Malaysian Trumpet snails to get that poo underground where the roots can get it. I've only used CO2 on one tank, my first believe it or not, and that was a DIY yeast/jello contraption.
I'm about to take my planted tanks to the next level, by being more proactive in plant setup and care. I've done a lot of reading over the last few weeks and I have what are probably some basic questions, but I really can't find the answers!
I do understand the difference between fertilizing substrates and inert. I'm interested in trying fertilizing subtrates. But I don't understand how the layers stay layered. Lets say you put down half an inch of say, ADA Powersand. The you put down 2" of Amazonia, for example. THen you layer some inert sand on top.
I tried something like this years ago, with flourite on the bottom and playsand on the top. It was a nightmare, as you planted the plants the layers would mix. is there a way to prevent this? I don't see a way.
Next, it seems that the soils wear out over time. I've read 9 months, I've read 3 or more years. At this point you either need to tear the tank down or start using root tabs. If you're doing that, why not just start with an inert substrate, like Flourite, and start with root tabs from the begining?
It also seems that your choice of CO2 or not, daily dosing, or not, is in part driven by the substrate. I have no desire at all to daily dose, so I've read that I really do need a fertilizing layer. Is this really the case?
Oh, the tank is a 75 gallon tank, but I would think that that would only matter when it comes to budget. Thanks for dealing with the vague questions!
I'm about to take my planted tanks to the next level, by being more proactive in plant setup and care. I've done a lot of reading over the last few weeks and I have what are probably some basic questions, but I really can't find the answers!
I do understand the difference between fertilizing substrates and inert. I'm interested in trying fertilizing subtrates. But I don't understand how the layers stay layered. Lets say you put down half an inch of say, ADA Powersand. The you put down 2" of Amazonia, for example. THen you layer some inert sand on top.
I tried something like this years ago, with flourite on the bottom and playsand on the top. It was a nightmare, as you planted the plants the layers would mix. is there a way to prevent this? I don't see a way.
Next, it seems that the soils wear out over time. I've read 9 months, I've read 3 or more years. At this point you either need to tear the tank down or start using root tabs. If you're doing that, why not just start with an inert substrate, like Flourite, and start with root tabs from the begining?
It also seems that your choice of CO2 or not, daily dosing, or not, is in part driven by the substrate. I have no desire at all to daily dose, so I've read that I really do need a fertilizing layer. Is this really the case?
Oh, the tank is a 75 gallon tank, but I would think that that would only matter when it comes to budget. Thanks for dealing with the vague questions!