so, im thinking the lane mountain sand has got to go
- Thread starter nick_76
- Start date
LuminousAphid
New Member
Not sure if that is really true, I had diatoms on my glass for a while in a new tank, and there was plenty of flow everywhere in the tank. They even grew on the glass directly across from my filter's outlet, which obviously had more current than the rest of the tank.SiRWesDragon said:
The three canister filters are probably the main reason you don't get diatoms- especially if any of them have UV. And the plecos will take care diatoms before they can even form in my experience. Also, if your tank is well-established, there probably aren't any silicates left in the water to promote the growth of diatoms anyway.
Don't mean to argue, but I don't think the claim that more flow -> no diatoms is always true.
edit: also, to stay on topic, I doubt that you will be able to find anything white that won't have some silicates which will dissolve and promote diatom growth, especially if you run with a PH less than 7. I would think that an acidic PH would just keep dissolving more and more silicates from the sand, and you would keep having problems with diatoms. You could try raising your PH with some crushed coral or something like that; since I put a bit if crushed coral in my 20 it hasn't had much of a problem with diatoms like it did at the beginning.
You could try soaking whatever you end up getting in some fairly acidic water for a few days, and keep changing the water out, that may get rid of some of the silicates that might be left over when you just rinse it.
PokeSephiroth
Member
The PFS sold in Ace Hardware stores here sell HTH brand... This one:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11683357&KPID=10415214&cagpspn=pla&CAWELAID=886296339
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11683357&KPID=10415214&cagpspn=pla&CAWELAID=886296339
well, to stay further on topic, im considering dirting my tank- im just not sure how to retrofit the dirt..i wouldn't even know the right one to choose, or how to best change over in an established tank with the minimum of stress to the fish. need to look into the best way to prepare it...hopefully it doesn't discolor my water
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Anonymous
Guest
I guess im just lucky that I can keep mountain lane sand, white. And also do a walstad planted tank balanced eco. Damn lucky. 
anderson_p_r
New Member
lol, thanks for the plug Billy. My new recipe for soil will require no more than 1" deep soil capped with 1.5-2" coarse sand, very similar to the Talbot recipe, but it should promise to be even more nutrient dense with no need for adding supplements under the soil. I was the one selling v1.1 soil at the swap, sold a bit, but still took some home. If you choose to do it yourself my best advice is to not rush the process. My last batch took more than 2 months to make. My results have required no fertilizers, though I do use co2. The only algae I struggle with is thread algae, I had a SAE to take care of that, but I'm sure it would eat the shrimp if it were still in the, aside from getting too big. Even that is manageable with a toothbrush, granted it's only a 10g
wes. my lane mountain remains white....its what lurks below the surface that's an issue...I get pockets of blackened, foul smelling sand that emits bad smelling bubbles...you don't notice it till u vacuum the thing, and out of your white sand you get a vacuum packed with charcoal black sand when u hit one of these pockets
im thinking whatever it is, if its bad to me when I clean the tank its gotta be worse for the fish living in it. they don't seem happy with this substrate- my other tank I can ignore for a week or three...but this one...something in that sand is bothering my discus..
im thinking whatever it is, if its bad to me when I clean the tank its gotta be worse for the fish living in it. they don't seem happy with this substrate- my other tank I can ignore for a week or three...but this one...something in that sand is bothering my discus..
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Anonymous
Guest
Go dirted bro. Do mineralized dirt process first. Trust me saves you from 2x water changes per week for the first few months. Tanins from dirt, Nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia leeching out. Faster in balancing the ecosystem in tank.
When you have it all going good. No ferts, no co2, but make sure you have MTS to stir dirt substrate a little to release some gasses in the dirt. If that gas stays too long could cause some problems for the fauna. My dirted is perfect now and especially with the new plants that Seattle_Aquarist aka roy give me. Maybe someday I'll do a planted discus tank too.
When you have it all going good. No ferts, no co2, but make sure you have MTS to stir dirt substrate a little to release some gasses in the dirt. If that gas stays too long could cause some problems for the fauna. My dirted is perfect now and especially with the new plants that Seattle_Aquarist aka roy give me. Maybe someday I'll do a planted discus tank too.
anderson_p_r
New Member
I don't figure $ by weight, but by area. What is the footprint of the tank your'e doing? Yes I had the dirt at the swap. I have access to acreage, tractors, and I married into a very "scientific" family that also used to own a plant nursery and landscape design and installation company for over 20 years. I've got some decent credentials behind the new recipe Our plan is to start processing the soil by the cubic yard and have it available for sale either directly or through local stores. Too busy to focus on it right now, our first child is due in early December. Come beginning of next year though, we should be rolling pretty good. That being said, I've basically been selling for $10/sqft @ 1" thickness. Might seem like a lot, but I haven't used any fertilizers in 6 months, that's where the savings is.
Our plan is to start processing the soil by the cubic yard and have it available for sale either directly or through local stores. Too busy to focus on it right now, our first child is due in early December. Come beginning of next year though, we should be rolling pretty good. That being said, I've basically been selling for $10/sqft @ 1" thickness. Might seem like a lot, but I haven't used any fertilizers in 6 months, that's where the savings is.anderson_p_r
New Member
BTW: when moistened, but not fully saturated it only weighs about 4 lbs/sqft @1" thickenss after being processed. Also, I'll be doing a 20g long as the guinea pig for the new recipe, you can keep an eye out for the results.
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Anonymous
Guest
No nick. You only need 2 inches mineralized top soil and 1-2 cap of your choice from gravel/flourite mix to sand. All you need. Go to youtube and find dustin's fishtank on how to dirt your tank. The problem he did was not mineralizing his dirt. Its the how he did it.