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So, I have this little (about 1 gallon) tank that I wasnt using at all so I decided to turn this into a Plant hospital tank. This was more of a joke than anything but I figured why not.

So, I got some dirt from the back yard, filled up with water and put some of my 'dying' plants in there. I figured Id put the tank out in the backyard where the sun hits it all day long, between the amount of sunlight and the nutrients in the dirt, these plants should regenerate whateverr theyve lost and if they do make it back I cant a ttempt putting them back in some of my other tanks.

I was checking this plant (not sure the name) which was reduced to a stem which looked like it was bout to go, so I had put it in there and I saw some leaves at the top, it looks like it is coming back.

My question is, there are other plants in there (the elodeas for example) arent exactly looking good but hey, BUT there is this green film or like gooey thing which covers most of the water and the other plants, stems and what not...

My question is, what is that green gooey thing, is it algae? Is it good for anything? Is it bad for the plants?

Thanks alot for your time and feedback you may provide...

ETT

Hi,
Over all, its not healthy. Soil holds huge amounts of
life, nutrients, and waste products. It relies on rain,
and sun, to pass the water through the substances and drain
them further down into the soil. When you dig a shovel full
up and stick it into the tank you are concentrating all
of the stuff and not providing a way for it to leach out.

The Gooey stuff is probably bacteria and its green in color
from algae growing on the surface of the bacteria. If you
want to continue the plant hospital, I would set up a drip
so that fresh water is being injected at the soil surface
(under water) and the "junk" goes out the overflow.

All that being said, find a copy of Dana Walstads'
Ecology of the Planted Tank. In it she describes exactly
how to create a beautifully planted aquarium, using just
what you are trying, soil. This tank needs no gravel
vacuuming, no water changes, and they are absolutely
stunning.

BUT, read the book and follow the guidelines or you will
wind up with a septic tank instead of a thriving
aquarium. I know, I tried it 30 years ago and it was a
disaster. Since then Dana's two books (volume one and two)
have come out, and one day, I will do it again, and this
time be successful.

Frank


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

Hey Frank, thanks for the reply, the only thing is, the plants there are just in a 1 gallon tank, sitting outside in my backyard, which I thought would revive them, Im not intending to put soil in my tank. That green gooey stuff is in the little 1g on the ground in the backyard and I wanted to see if I should get rid of it or if it could be used for food for fish or what

One more thing, Ive read online where if there are bubbles created by the plants its a sign of 'good health'

These under these conditions I have already described are producing those bubbles constantly, does that mean they are thriving or could it be some other organism producing them?