Honeythorn

[ellena]

So I'm rescaping my tanks, they look so poo
I'm having one last shot at live plants with your pond compost method, so can I fire a few Qs at you?
Just bog standard pond compost, yes?
How thick a layer of compost and how thick a layer of sand/gravel over it?
Plant into the compost and then add the sand on top?
Pack the compost down, or leave it loose?
Put compost in wet, damp or dry?
What sort of plants do well? I currently have amazon swords, twisted vallis and an anubias, and some dregs of pennywort and water sprite which may not make it to the rescape!
Plants tied to wood like the anubias and java fern won't access the compost will they? Do they work in this setup?
Any other tips?
Thanks muchly

 

[Honeythorn]

Ok, yes ordinary pond soil. Most large garden centres with a pond and aquatics section should sell it, doesn't cost too much.

I have roughly 1.5 cm of soil topped with around 2.5 inches of sand. I wouldn't reccomend gravel as the soil will break though it more easily.

I laid the soil in dry but you could dampen it if that will make things a little less dusty. I didn't pack it down hard, just patted it down a little all over with my hand.

I put the sand on top then planted, but your idea would make more sense. Place all your rooted plants where you want them, and put the sand around them, then fill in the gaps. Stem plants like cabomba could most likely be planted that way too, try it. I just poke them into the sand now to the depth of just past my first knuckle.


The plants you have now should work. I have echinodrus too, and they do fine. Aponogenton has gone mental and flowers quite a lot. Bettas will love the leaves of aponogenton.


Tied plants like moss and java fern will work in pretty much any setup, they won't get the benefit of the soil of course, but I add nothing at all to my tanks and my moss ( I have no java fern, never much liked the look of it ) is a thick mat nearly touching the surface in Bronson's tank .

Basically you bog standard "low light" plants, rooted or tied should work with the soil. I have a basic aquarium plant gro tube in my 30 gallon, and as I say, stuff flowers and I trim things if they get too long.

I'll be doing a rescape on the big tank this year, it's been running near on 7 years l , I think it needs a refresh and some re-arranging

 

[ellena]

Brilliant, that's answered all my questions, thanks Let's hope this finally gives me a low maintenance, nice looking planted tank
You have any pics of yours?

 

[Honeythorn]

I hope it works for you. If the soil doesn't work ( I see no reason why it wouldn't but you never know ) there is a proper aquarium plant substrate called ADA which seems to be getting good reviews. Haven't tried it myself though.

Here's the most recent picture of my 30 gallon ( not very well scaped but I'm not all that fussy about such things really ) When all the current fish in there have lived out their lives and died, it will house a single really nice male betta and perhaps a school of cories ^__^

 

[ellena]

They all look fab and healthy Thanks for the pic

 

[ellena]

Well, been out and got myself an aponogeton today. They had one in a display tank and it was massive! I thought I'd get it anyway as a plant outgrowing its tank would be a bit of a novelty for me I think it's this one. Couldn't find any others at all, even this I only realised was an aponogeton when I got home.
I got some pond compost and I'm going with that under black sand in Lotus' new tank. I got the seachem fluorite black sand which I'll be using in my 60l when I get to set it up.
So, new tank set up, here I come

 

[Honeythorn]

Oh god... Ulvaceus! That does get pretty HUGE. I had to get rid of mine from my 30 gal because it blocked light from the other plants I had near it . My brother has it now as his tank is bigger . My old Krib could actually hide in one of the folds of a leaf , they are that big A betta will ADORE a plant like that for a hidey hole .