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I have a 25G tank with sand as substrate.The sand has become anaerobic. And I need to move the tank to another room because of renovation.The tank has an eheim 2215 as filter,54W light.I have 2angels, 2blue gouramis,6catfish,4algae eaters(i hope for a bigger aquarium soon).The plants are: many valls, 4crypts, java moss, java fern, E.osiris, hygrophilla corybosa, cabomba and others.

My plan is to take out the plants, put some water from the aquarium into a bucket, put the fish in the bucket, take the rest of the water.Remove the sand , move the aquarium.
I want to try the top soil substrate.I've tested it in a 2.5G tank(2" top soil,2" gravel and after about 5 days there are almost no algae and the plant are looking good.The baby corydoras are o.k.
So 2" top soil, 1"(in front) gravels and about2" in back.Then add the water from the tank and the fish and pray : : :

i also want to add the active carbon pad in my filter just for a few days.

What do you think about this??

Hi,
The use of topsoil as a substrate is a terrific idea.
However, it takes about 6 weeks to settle down during
which the tank could become very cloudy and water changes
will be necessary as well as a really good filter.

If you have access to it, Diana Walstads book,
ECOLOGY of the PLANTED AQUARIUM, is a complete treatise
on what is called a "Low Tech" tank that uses only
topsoil, no added CO2, or other "High Tech" components.

Each of her tanks are beautiful jungles. I would
highly recommend that you obtain this book and read
it, first.

Topsoil and gravel mixed are not a good idea.
Generally you use one or the other. You will need a
Diatom type filter to keep the water clear.

Check out this link for additional information:
http://home.infinet.net/teban/substrat.htm

While moving the tank, as you realize, you will need
to throughly clean that sand. You might also find some
MTS snails to help keep the sand loose, and stir the non
planted parts each week and then do the water change
syphoning up the "gunk" that you stir up.
Crypts are a temperamental plant. You should expect them
to have a "melt down" after you replant them. When that
occurs, simply remove any dead and dying leaves and stalks,
as well as any parts of the base that become "mushy."
They should recover just fine as long as you stay with them.


Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 01-May-2005 11:12

Last edited by FRANK at 01-May-2005 11:12

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I have about 200 snail and i have the book "ecology of the planted aquaria"and already red it.It's a fine book with lots of proven data.
I already kept the soil underwater in a bucket for 1week and i'll boil it(i read somewere that boiling oxidizing NO3).I don't whant to use sand as a top ,layer because i already have an aquarium with peat that my cory dug out and it's not a very clear view.I understant that the sand keeps the nitrits in the soil but some used gravel and they didn't have any problem.I my ltle tank the gravel won't get inthe topsoil even if i push it.I've used the soil in my pond and there are no algae's.It is very sandy soil.I'll try to use a mesh to separete the soil from the gravel in the front where i won't have any deep rooted plants.

Hi,
Great!
After reading Diana's book I was inspired to put together
a tank modeled after it. However, every time I took out
a tape measure to look for a place in the house to put the
new tank, my wife followed me around giving me reasons why
it would not work there. So, I wait for retirement and a
move to our new home.

You might consider posting pictures, and letting us know
how the tank is doing after you redo it.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank, your wife does that too? My boyfriend refuses to let me dream about that 180 g since we'd have to lose a couch for it. I could deal with a beanbag on the floor.

My husband stubbornly refuses to give up the widescreen TV, which is sitting in the perfect place for a 180 gallon ...

I think it is this reason that I am still single I mean who can argue with me about whether or not there is enough room for a tank where the couch used to beWho is there to tell me, hey heidi hold it, don't you need something to sit on in the living room? When sitting became a problem, because the couch couldn't be moved where I wanted it I just pulled out the foldy chairs:%)Then again, at this rate I'll never get married

Frank retirement is just around the corner isn't it? Then you need to buy a bigger house like another mod we know has donethen you can have all the room for fishies you wantjust plan the house arrangement around the fish not around the furniture

heidi michelle

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