|
|
Post by frankfishmonger on Mar 15, 2013 10:21:11 GMT -5
About a month ago I set up a little 2.5 gallon tank with Scotts Potting Soil and topped it off with play sand...about an inch of each. Nothing spectacular happened right away but, lately I've noticed that the plants are developing a new leaf about every other day. They are staying small though. I think that might be because of insufficient light. Just the other day I saw a bunch of big bubbles come up from the substrate. I'm thinking this is CO2 from the potting soil (forest products) decomposing.
|
|
|
|
Post by guppyguy on Mar 15, 2013 19:50:35 GMT -5
You know I forgot to tell you something about switching to a soil substrate ...it will be okay so dont freak out or hate me but it is worth mentioning just in case you want to do this change to a large tank in the future .
When you first do it you need to or needed rather lol to fill the tank about 1/3 full of water just a few inches above the soil line and let it stand for a few weeks . This is to let the soil adjust to being submerged . Just like plants you buy at the big pet stores you know how they will change cause they are grown emersed and have to adjust to an aquatic state . The soil has to also do this .
Second - After about a month changeing the water every two weeks and raiseing it at each change you can fill the tank . Once you fill the tank after a month you need to change the water a few times like 6 or 7 to be exact , this is because of the nutrients in the water from the soil . Their will be a huge amount way to much actually for the plants to use and you will have a real alge problem if you dont do the multipule water changes .
Frank IM sory I didnt give youu the full instruction when I told you how to change over to soil I really forgot about the process its just I been doin it so long I forgot . But fear not your okay you wont lose any plants or inhabitants dureiong the waters adjustment your tank will just be a goin through a little cycle of sorts but not a nitr cycle like your use to its a diffrent one the soil is goin through but at worst your water may cloud or alge may bloom but thats it .
|
|
|
|
Post by frankfishmonger on Mar 16, 2013 12:57:54 GMT -5
If you had told me all that, I probably wouldn't have done it. As a matter of fact, and I forget where I was reading but, I saw something about the cycling period for the soil. Of course it was after I set it up. It's no biggy. No harm done as far as I can see and the plants are definitely different looking than they were in just sand or gravel. They're stockier and the leaves are wider. It's really cool and I think the soil is doing its thing despite me.
|
|
|
|
Post by guppyguy on Apr 24, 2013 23:53:02 GMT -5
It will only get better , the main reason for the cycle for the soil is the massive ammount of nutrients the soil will release into the water , it can and usually will cause the most awsome alge bloom you can imagine lol but nothing bad .
Hows it doing now by the way ? still growing strong ?
|
|
|
|
Post by frankfishmonger on Apr 30, 2013 6:54:31 GMT -5
It's doing OK but, I think I need stronger light. I might try supplementing with daylight for the time being.
|
|
|
|
Post by guppyguy on Apr 30, 2013 13:08:22 GMT -5
keep in mind the light directly on top will get hogged up by the floating plants over time and a small 10 dollar flourescent light from wal-mart placed on the bottom in back of your tak will make a world of diffrence . Its hard to keep everything growing at the same rate after it takes off lol but you can do it just have to add a light here or their . The daylight is a great idea if you have a spot where the tank can get enough hours of light , windows ae great for getting light to the whole tank not just the top like the artificial lights but ts hard to find a window that keeps light all day .
|
|
|
|
Post by frankfishmonger on Apr 30, 2013 14:59:40 GMT -5
The window has a southern exposure and it gets at least bright indirect light for most of the day.
|
|
