4.5 ft Planted

[elwaynetan]

Hello!

I am starting on my 4.5 ft this Sunday and I have a few questions...

I was experimenting with my current shrimp tank and I added a few base additives... Right now the tank is working well!

I was watching the video on setting up high tech/low tech aquariums... and I realised James Findley sprinkles additives at the base before he puts the substrate then the soil.

Anyone of you here follow this type of setup and procedures? If yes, what are your steps and what do you use? Apparently, a lot of websites talk about themselves in US... and the brands they mentioned in the websites are not any I can find here.

Advices anyone?

[e[V]o|ut|on]

I think in James Findley's videos, he does mentioned that it is not exactly necessary if you are using the ADA substrate system. You can refer to his aqua journals on their website. http://www.thegreenmachineonline.com

From what I've read so far, the ADA power sand special already has these additives whereas the previous ADA power sand does not.

I am also currently planning my 3ft Iwagumi Tank. And what I'll be using for my substrate system is only the ADA power sand special and the ADA Aqua Soil.

As to what additives he uses, you may like to refer here: http://www.adana.co.jp/en/products/n...rate/additive/

[VSGenesis]

My opinion on the power sand and any magic dust from ADA, it is not necessary. Plants grows the same. But if you have deep pocket, sure.

I just use ADA Amazonia only. Liquid fert Profito and that's it. Lower start up cost.

In the states, check this guy justinfishtank on youtube. He don't use any commercial soil. Just plain old soil. A bit of clay at the bottom. Plants grows the same and he sells them.

Some folks in here use lapis sand. There are loads of different ways. Search Tom Barr and hear what he has to say about Power Sand and those magic dust.

Substrate use is important to grow the plants but other elements, ie lighting is as important if not more.

In conclusion, powersand and those additives, depends entirely on you.

Higher Cost = Any significant advantages?

Just my 2 cents and Happy Deepavali!!

[ralliart12]

...Search Tom Barr and hear what he has to say about Power Sand and those magic dust...

Ha! Tom Barr dismisses everything from the ADA Substrate system except for aquasoil (which he loves); he especially is against Penac W & Penac P.

[Hip]

My 2c
I used the DIY substrate which costed me total up $50 for a 4ft planted. With the same amount of Aqua soil it would cost you easy $300
Picture can be found in the Welcome post, plants growed like crazy and I sold a lot of them too.
Formula is quite simple where you have blood and bone as the bottom layer, then crushed marble then unwashed sand. After that you can put whatever on top doesnt matter, only for decorative purpose.

More details can be found at Aquarium Life forum from 2Tone.
(if refering to another forum is not allowed please remove this section)

[Shadow]

Hi Hip, it is best if you post you picture here or link it here rather than asking people to look at other forum. I would like to help you post it here but unfortunately I do not know which picture you are talking about.

[Hip]

Hey Shadow, sorry about the confusion. I meant the pix here

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...543#post704543

btw here's the tank.

[fireblade]

Hi,
what do you mean by blood and bone? Kill a chicken and throw inside?

My 2c
I used the DIY substrate which costed me total up $50 for a 4ft planted. With the same amount of Aqua soil it would cost you easy $300
Picture can be found in the Welcome post, plants growed like crazy and I sold a lot of them too.
Formula is quite simple where you have blood and bone as the bottom layer, then crushed marble then unwashed sand. After that you can put whatever on top doesnt matter, only for decorative purpose.

More details can be found at Aquarium Life forum from 2Tone.
(if refering to another forum is not allowed please remove this section)

[fireblade]

[what do you mean by blood and bone? Kill a chicken and their inside?

QUOTE=Hip;704556]My 2c
I used the DIY substrate which costed me total up $50 for a 4ft planted. With the same amount of Aqua soil it would cost you easy $300
Picture can be found in the Welcome post, plants growed like crazy and I sold a lot of them too.
Formula is quite simple where you have blood and bone as the bottom layer, then crushed marble then unwashed sand. After that you can put whatever on top doesnt matter, only for decorative purpose.

More details can be found at Aquarium Life forum from 2Tone.
(if refering to another forum is not allowed please remove this section)[/QUOTE]

[Hip]

Haha you can try that, it might work. Ingredients are the same it is just that the one I meant is the actual product where they use it for Gardening. It is powder like fertiliser made from dried blood and bone

Like this one.

[fireblade]

OIC... hahaha... thought really bury some bones inside :P