It's not disputed that your plants feed off the soil substrate. They are indeed feeding of the nutrients produced from the soil substrate. And that's why I presented the second tank in my post, if you took a look at it. That tank is actually a reversal of the variables, which featured a soil substrate and yet had predominantly anubias,mosses, and pelia, with a giant moss wall in the back. So, no roots to anchor in the soil substrate and take advantage of the nutrients in the soil which seems to be your theory, if I'm understanding you correctly. How did these plants then feed? It is my opinion, and it's only an opinion, that these plants consumed the nutrients present in the water column that leeched from the soil substrate.
I'm not saying soil substrates are bad nor that you shouldn't use them. I just think that how exactly the plants are obtaining the nutrients from said soil is what is in dispute. I think it's predominantly water column activity, even if you have a soil substrate, because, I believe that the nutrients present in the soil simply leech into the water column. This explains why plants that are not planted in the soil, ei the ones I mentioned above, somehow still manage to get their nutrients. From the water column.
I think it's really fine points here. All that matters really, when you think about it, is that the plants get adequately fed. Whether it's through the water column or through a soil substrate that leeches nutrients. As long as the tanks look good and don't have algae, you're doing it right.
To ask me the name of the crypts? Ah geez, I think it's either lutea or lucens. But I really couldn't tell you for sure. Some of those plants are over 5 years old.
L
I'm not saying soil substrates are bad nor that you shouldn't use them. I just think that how exactly the plants are obtaining the nutrients from said soil is what is in dispute. I think it's predominantly water column activity, even if you have a soil substrate, because, I believe that the nutrients present in the soil simply leech into the water column. This explains why plants that are not planted in the soil, ei the ones I mentioned above, somehow still manage to get their nutrients. From the water column.
I think it's really fine points here. All that matters really, when you think about it, is that the plants get adequately fed. Whether it's through the water column or through a soil substrate that leeches nutrients. As long as the tanks look good and don't have algae, you're doing it right.
To ask me the name of the crypts? Ah geez, I think it's either lutea or lucens. But I really couldn't tell you for sure. Some of those plants are over 5 years old.
L
