My 5.5 gallon soil tank.

[will5]

This tank was running for over a year, but I had to break it down and start over due to algae issues because of direct sunlight, no co2, and ferts.

To see the tank as it stood before see here- http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pl...tml#post389817

Thank specs- 5.5 gal this tank gets lots of direct sunlight because it sit in front of a south facing window.

10 watt 6500k screw in pc bulb.

It has sand capped by flourite. My wife thinks it looks good.

Hang on back filter filled with aquaclear sponges and the inlet is connected to a sponge filter.

The topsoil was given to me from friend who had some left over after he made his El natural.

Funa- 3 Aphyosemion striatum ( mother, father, and one off spring).

Floral- Rotala indica ( some of which is growing emersed out the back of the tank),Hygro ceylon,enough hornwort to just about fill a 10 gallon tank,eloda,6++ plants of crypt affins,unknown crypt,anubias nana,soft ball size clump of tiwan moss,xmass moss,subwarsstang (I think thats is how it's spelled)

I also have some dwarf sag , ECHINODORUS PARVIFLORUS 'TROPICA' , and amazon frogbit that are going to be added in the next couple of days..

Pictures-





So let me know what you think.

[rwalker]

Hi William,

Welcome to AQ. You are the first El natural supporter I met in this forum. Cheers! It is not that popular in this part of the world, somehow.

Since this is your second tank, I presume you have learned quite a fair bit about planted tank. Just ignore my comments that you have already known.


. your top layer gravel seems a bit too big, 2-4mm, will be good.
. Your soil does not seem to be enough. may be too late for you to top up.
. I notice your tank is placed near the window. Use some sunshade or something like that to reduce the lights if it is too strong. I think DW does that. My two 2ft do not expose to sunlight. I use a stronger wpg, one with 20w, the other with 36w. But I guess your plant can grow emersed and tap on the the window lights near by and that will be a sight to behold.
. Not sure 10w is enough for your tank, I guess depending on the window lights.
. Plant relative heavily, mix some fast and slow grower together. After that you can slowly reduce the hornwort.

Have fun.
Keep us posted when the tank mature.

[will5]

Wow thanks. I was told by Diana Walstad that I was off to a great start with this tank.

I am going to watch the amount sunlight this tank gets and can pull the shades if need be.

I do have some rotala indica growing emersed out of the back that I could take a picture of if you would like.

This is my third tank I also have a 10 gallon high light tank with Co2 and every thing else and I have a 29 gallon medium light tank.

As for the soil I have a little over 1.5 inches Like diana says in her book but it has compacted some. Which is not that big of a problem sence I have Malaysian Trumpet Snails in there.

The hornwort while not my favorite the killes love it and use it as a spawning mop. So if I can get them to use the moss I will but if they don't it will have to stay.

I do plan to add many more plants when I can get them for cheap/free as I am a little tight on money right now. I have a meeting with my local plant club comming up and I hop to score some there.

Thank you very much for your post and I do hope you decide to keep up to date on my tank and give your thoughts. As all help is great help even if it's a comment on plant placement.

Wow it is very hard for me not to use short terms like mts (Malaysian Trumpet Snails ) sence I am so used to it but I do do my best not to.

[comet]

the tank looked great. I am a fan of diana walstad too. BUt however my attempt with my soil tank became a failure. it became anaerobic(lack of oxygen). I understand my soil use is too compact and contain too many clay. I use normal potting soil, seems cant. I not sure what soil to buy in singapore. haha. btw, what's topsoil? people often use it for natural tank.

[rwalker]

BUt however my attempt with my soil tank became a failure. it became anaerobic(lack of oxygen). I understand my soil use is too compact and contain too many clay. I use normal potting soil, seems cant. I not sure what soil to buy in singapore.

I used "Florabella" soil which I bought from NTUC. The first tank has been running for close to 9 months. Plants are still going strong and healthy.

[will5]

Thank you comet.

[comet]

oh ok rwalker. will take not of that, and will hunt for the soil.

Does the tank need to have high intensive of light? cause my tank is not near any sunlight source.

[will5]

You will need about 2 watts per gallon for healthy plant growth. This tank has gotten by with less because of the sun light. So if you don't have enough sun light you will need to get a stronger/better light.

[will5]

Here is an update and I am sorry it's so late.
I changed the placement of a couple of plants and added an hydro growing emersed out of the filter. It's only been a couple of day but I hope I can get it to flower. The tank has had an issue with algae(clado) growing like mad on one side of the tank next to the window. So I both closed and pulled the blinds to try and slow/stop it.
Any idea on how to kill it??????? I would have tried to hit it with some excel but I think I read some where that excel can be harmful to an EL natural.
Anyway picture time.


Rotala indica growing emersed.

Hygro and potho growing emersed out of the top of the filter. The hygro is still adjusting to growing emersed.

The hygro will be planted in soil once it grows enough to to get up and over the tank.
The tank is kind of dark because I added an Indian almond leave to the tank to get them in the mood for spawning again. I just did this yesterday.
As always thanks for looking.