Recent content by Dan92

Agree with the above. Not all plants benefit from a nutrient rich substrate, stem plants take most from the water column and epiphyte plants too won't benefit from it. Root heavy plants like Crypts or Swords would love a nutrient rich substrate but if you do not plan on using these then it isnt...

Looking at about 3 litres, depending on the thickness you want. I used 3.5 litres on my 180 litre but I only used it in certain areas of the tank where the plants were going.

Anubias and Bucephalandra species dont even need to be planted! You can attached these to aquarium decor to keep the rhizomes from being buried, and they will thrive in low tech tanks. In fact a lot of Anubias species prefer to be slightly shaded as direct light can cause algae issues as they...

If you have root heavy plants like Cryptocorynes or Echinodorus species, a plant soil under the substrate can really help with root growth as these are heavy root feeders. You can also place root tabs into the substrate where you would be planting for additional nutrients. However if you plan on...

Can you get to a hardware store or similar? You might be able to get some kind of waterproofing spray. Here in the UK you can get several types, depending on the material, for say leather (clothing and shoes), wood or other (decking or fencing). I am sure they would do some kind of waterproofing...

Just to check, you don't plan on having the fish inhabit the tank immediately? As changing out the substrate, even with the established media in the filter, can have a severe impact on the tanks balance! Are you UK based? As my recommendations will be what I get and use here in the UK but may...

Have you got a spare heater for the tank around, that you could switch in and test? I have had heaters last months and others last years, the problem with technology is you can never really be certain how long it will give you. My last heater crept up slowly to about 27 before I removed it, but...

Interesting idea. Does it require much maintenance in order to keep low and carpeting? I had a rearrange of the tank to give some more height to the wood at the back and bring the s. repens to the front left, with the h. Cuba front right down the side. I've found s. repens needs a bit of...

Interesting, I like this plant it has lovely leaf shape underwater. Where would you position it?

Well, I trimmed down some of the h. Corymbosa stems and replanted along the back. It grows so fast! It's now blending with the c. Bullosa and creeping up to cover the filter. Talking of filter I fitted a Dennerle bio filter extension and filled it with media to help collect. I've also added some...

I'm hoping that the Hygrophila and c. Bullosa will fill the back corners, with c. Undulatus in the front left. Will I be able to replant hygrophila trimmings to start new plants? I've grown rather fond of it!

And so it begins. The tank is now planted and running. Pictures below! If you look at the front view, clockwise from front left: Crpytocoryne Undulatus Red Anubias Nana Bonsai Hygrophila Corymbosa Cryptocoryne Bullosa Staurogyne Repens Cryptocoryne Parva I'm thinking of some much smaller rock...