Sunbird73 Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 I have a new 60 X30X30 project, am planning on trying to grow mainly grassy types of plants. I read some ppl on here used Daltons aquatic mix under fine gravel so went and bought some today. Well, I put it in, and put the fine gravel over the top, added about 5cm of water..... and now my tank is mud What did I do wrong? I am thinking I need to take everything out, wash the Daltons off the gravel and start again.... or shall I just get more gravel to put on top, siphon out the water, refill and siphon out until clear. any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 you gotta put a lotta sand on top :lol: if the daltons makes it to the surface, all hell breaks lose cause its just clay like mud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 ... or shall I just get more gravel to put on top, siphon out the water, refill and siphon out until clear. Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted June 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 ok, thanks - just went out got 15kg more of gravel - that should fix it :lol: (may not be any room left for fish or plants tho ) think I will have a lot of siphoning to do tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 A good trick with cloudy gravel etc is to hook the hose into the tank and run it slightly slower than it takes you to siphon it out and dispose of the water. Cuts down on bucket carting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 And put a plate or piece of plastic over the gravel before you add more water so that the gravel is not displaced - actually, I have used a large plastic bag to cover the gravel which worked quite well, but something solid like a plate is better if you are using the bucket filling method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 i did my tank with a layer about 3cm aquatic mix, then a little bit of left over silicone sand (only a very thin layer that bearly covered the aquatic mix, then i put on about 4cm of fine gravel. i used some brown fine 2-3mm gravel from hollywoods. and defenatly pour the pucket of water onto a plate, slowly as you dont want to disturb the gravel too much and churn up the aquatic mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted June 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Thanks, I managed to get it finished last night and planted with hairgrass - and water is crystal clear this morning :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted July 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Be kind, am just beginning at this :oops: . The hairgrass is not easy to plant! have hairgrass, a few sagittaria, some indian fern and ambulia up the back (cos I already had some ) I hope I have enough light to keep the hairgrass growing, it is a 20W powerglo on 60x 30 x 30 tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Looks pretty good. I like the contrast the hairgrass gives the round rocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 we are being nice, just photos are pritty to look at. and well done it looks nice, can i suggest that you move the heater to the left so that it sits behind the ambulia and will be hidden, will make the tank look even better and raise the water level before pheonex44 sees it.. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 it looks nice. im surprised it actually has daltons in there, so you've done a good job covering it up! pity about the water level though.... :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted July 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 pity about the water level though.... :lol: :lol: I guess I *could* put some more water in.... I only fill my coffee cup 3/4 full as well tho so it goes against my natural instinct :lol: yeah, that heater is a bit too big for that tank anyway. Looking at getting a jager heater, can they go vertically? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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