martind Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hi, Im wondering what a good cheap base for growing aquatic plants would be? I've seen some at LFS for $49.95 (can't remember the name) is there anything else that is suitable for a cheaper price? I will be having silica sand over the top of it. Any help would be great Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 I am using "Daltons Propogating sand" (thanks to the guys here) and "Red Sea Flora Root" and "Red Sea Floro Gro". Put 1/3 of the sand down then the floro root and then 2/3 of the sand. every water change add some floro gro. Thats what I am setting up this weekend. Still scratching my head with regards to Co2, i.e. DIY or bottle cylinder (costly). I think it all comes down to how well you defuse the CO2. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martind Posted November 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Where abouts did you purchase the sand from? and how much was it? Yeah I have got 1 of the Hargen co2 thingy's but am also going to try a DIY one conecting it to my internal filter and see how that goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 I bought the last 3 bags from Palmers in Pakuranga, Try another Palmers if you have no luck then contact Daltons themselves to either deliver to you or to let you know of your nearest supplier. Heres there contact details, http://www.daltons.co.nz/contact/contact.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dally Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 martind, justdoto any plant store (Palmers) and look at the soils/ soil additives theyv got there. I got sum big bags of river sand for 10$ under that you can stick sum clay from the back yard. good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Sorry forgot to say the 3 bags cost me $27,00 in total...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 I would stay away from adding clay as it can cause problems. I think unwashed river sand and a bit of commercial additive would be the safest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 what about replacing clay layer with layer of peat? esspecially if your wanting lower than 7 pH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martind Posted November 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 so, should I look at putting down a layer of peat first (how much and where do you buy it from?) followed by some fertiliser, then silica sand on top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 In most references I have seen where they advise using clay they always use dried clay (I think it can start getting too anaerobic and producing methane) and when using peat they say a little and boiled. I have not used clay but I have used river silt and found that good, and peat and found for me it did not seem to make a lot of difference. In the end what works for you is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 Dried clay in a tank? how does it stay dry?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 I think the commercial additives you buy are actually "dried" not "dry" clay. They give a supply of trace elements for your plant. The clay from down the back garden makes problems (I found out the hard way) and so can too much peat (also found out the hard way) but a little may be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 Oh ok i understand now thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramuk Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 As someone who has had bottled CO2 in my tank, I highly recommend staying away from them. Yes, your plants will grow like hell, but I don't think it is worth it. It's just one more thing (like having heated gravel, for instance) At sea level (ChCh), my aquatic plants grow much better without CO2 than with heaps of CO2 at 6000 ft (Colorado) But yes, if you have money to burn, by all means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I used peat. Have people had problem with peat apart from it floating and the ph water colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I have about 2 to 3 handfuls of the stuff in a stocking in my filter. Must confess its the one from the LFS, was $2.... it did not discolour the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiverJohn Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I bought the last 3 bags from Palmers in Pakuranga, The people at palmers will wonder whats going on!!! thats were i got some as well! :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 They mabe be excited and think its a gardening revolution :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neill Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Hi Ha sanyone tried kitty litter as a base under their gravel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanksman Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Is that dried clay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neill Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 I think so I saw it mentioned on this website and thought I would try it. Aquatic Plants Central is the website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neill Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/ Here is the link to the website. It is aquaticplantcentral not aquatic plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Have a read here.. http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilize ... ter.html#0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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