CHEAP DIRT vs EXPENSIVE AQUASOIL 2 MONTH UPDATE!

So much has happened since the last update! I've added new fish, the guppy's are breeding, and the plants have grown quite well! Should we keep this experiment going for longer, or is it time for something new?
Aquasoil vs Dirt playlist • AQUASOIL VS DIRT
CO2 vs no CO2 playlist • CO2 vs NO CO2 experiment
Everything I'm using for this project:
TANK
(US) 36p amzn.to/37M97h3
(EU) amzn.to/3k0uhO5
LIGHT
(US) bit.ly/325mg5d
(EU) amzn.to/3zNbOLL
FILTER
(US) amzn.to/3AKak50
(EU) amzn.to/3slWGC1
CO2
(US) amzn.to/3COGU7E
(EU) amzn.to/3mc2Bsn
DIFFUSER
(US) amzn.to/3t0Unoc
(EU) amzn.to/3BQUDJE
AQUASOIL
(US) amzn.to/2WVLoZR
(EU) amzn.to/3DWT92o
POND SOIL
(US) amzn.to/3EWBqbd
(EU) amzn.to/3D2iRSl
SHRIMP GRAVEL BLACK
(US) amzn.to/3CUcrER
(EU) amzn.to/3BStnu8
ROCKS
amzn.to/38KAJDN
WOOD
amzn.to/3DVAowz
GLUE (gel)
(US) amzn.to/3wsl1rU
(EU) amzn.to/308joUp
GLUE (liquid)
(US) amzn.to/3ofpKJZ
(EU) amzn.to/3EVDYGA
FULL PLANT LIST:
Foreground
- Micranthemum tweediei (MONTE CARLO)
- Marsilea hirsuta
Midground
- Vesicularia ferriei
- Hygrophila lancea Araguaia
- Micranthemum umbrosum
Background
- Rotala rotundifolia Orange Juice
- Ludwigia repens
Floating plants
- Phyllanthus fluitans
All plants are from Dennerleplants
👉🏻Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my KZbin channel: / mjaquascaping
👉🏻 Use Code ''amsterdam'' for 10% off CO2art products
👉🏻Destroy ALGAE with my FREE ebook 📖
bit.ly/3aBaAcy
👉🏻10% DISCOUNT on buceplanet.de with code: Amsterdam10
👉🏻Today's topics: Dirt vs Aquasoil, Aquasoil vs Dirt, Best Aquarium substrate, Planted Tank Substrate.

[@MJAquascaping]

So much has happened since the last update! I've added new fish, the guppy's are breeding, and the plants have grown quite well! Should we keep this experiment going for longer, or is it time for something new? Aquasoil vs Dirt playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLr... CO2 vs no CO2 playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLr... Everything I'm using for this project: TANK (US) 36p amzn.to/37M97h3 (EU) amzn.to/3k0uhO5 LIGHT (US) bit.ly/325mg5d (EU) amzn.to/3zNbOLL FILTER (US) amzn.to/3AKak50 (EU) amzn.to/3slWGC1 CO2 (US) amzn.to/3COGU7E (EU) amzn.to/3mc2Bsn DIFFUSER (US) amzn.to/3t0Unoc (EU) amzn.to/3BQUDJE AQUASOIL (US) amzn.to/2WVLoZR (EU) amzn.to/3DWT92o POND SOIL (US) amzn.to/3EWBqbd (EU) amzn.to/3D2iRSl SHRIMP GRAVEL BLACK (US) amzn.to/3CUcrER (EU) amzn.to/3BStnu8 ROCKS amzn.to/38KAJDN WOOD amzn.to/3DVAowz GLUE (gel) (US) amzn.to/3wsl1rU (EU) amzn.to/308joUp GLUE (liquid) (US) amzn.to/3ofpKJZ (EU) amzn.to/3EVDYGA FULL PLANT LIST: Foreground - Micranthemum tweediei (MONTE CARLO) - Marsilea hirsuta Midground - Vesicularia ferriei - Hygrophila lancea Araguaia - Micranthemum umbrosum Background - Rotala rotundifolia Orange Juice - Ludwigia repens Floating plants - Phyllanthus fluitans All plants are from Dennerleplants 👉🏻Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my KZbin channel: KZbin.com/mjaquascaping 👉🏻 Use Code ''amsterdam'' for 10% off CO2art products 👉🏻Destroy ALGAE with my FREE ebook 📖 bit.ly/3aBaAcy 👉🏻10% DISCOUNT on buceplanet.de with code: Amsterdam10

[@BlastOff_]

Maybe an idea to start dosing liquid fertilizer to see how the combination of substrate + liq fertilizer works for the plants? Mooie video weer!

[@p.ayushmaanpalvai8437]

dry start vs water start or (normal)

[@p.ayushmaanpalvai8437]

also you are a man of honour for making these AMAZING tanks pls teach us

[@urbanimalcolombia2094]

keep the experiment. this time adding the nutrients that each tank needs to see them in their maximum splendor

[@lloyd011721]

keep this experiment going for longer

[@ojdejong]

Would love to see a comparison between high light and short photoperiod (6-8 hrs) vs low light and long photoperiod (~12 hours)

[@metallixro]

Id say thats kinda dependent of the plant type. In my one and only tank that has a very low 12 lumens/litre I have the lights on 14 hours/day but its mostly easy/medium and/or fast growing plants, and Id say it works pretty good and it has the advantage of letting me actually see and enjoy the fish.

[@finleynottingham579]

I was going to say this for an experiment as well 👍🏼

[@michaelmoreno7357]

@@metallixro I'd love to see this experiment using 2 really long tanks and a huge diversity of plants.

[@philippecapron8010]

Maybe if you got two rgb lights, one with mostly red and the other with mostly blue, not active in the same way for photosynthesis so could be interesting. And if you get baby badies I would especially come to Amsterdam to pick females 😉

[@sharirhariparsad5777]

Yesss

[@xXIronSwanXx]

Keep this one going for a little longer so that we can see if the dirt eventually leaches out some nutrients into the water column. Also next idea: aquarium light vs normal desk lamp🤔

[@karkoor]

It wont for the fact that he covered it with sand. I dont think with time it will leach. I had a dirted tank before.

[@watnoudan]

​@@karkoor it would if he chucked in some snails that cultivate the soil

[@stephenblack8698]

​@@watnoudan My dirted tank, using rich redwood forest soil, is capped with an inch of sand, and has pond snails. It is still looking strong.

[@localhost4460]

I do think that the real benefit of dirt substrates is seen after a couple of years (admittedly, too long for your format here). Aquasoil tends breakdown after a couple of years, while dirt does not. The result is a healthy tank for longer. The "red" is likely dependent on iron.

[@fortzinsta2986]

Conclusion: Dirted Tank is just as good as aquasoil. but needs some liquid fertilizer

[@libbbera]

And it’s very very very cheap 😍

[@littlewigglemonster7691]

Dark rich garden soil works incredible. Ill never do anything else

[@mr.pikachu496]

Keep the experiment going, for another month and let's see if the plant growth changes or remains the same, because I think that the roots in the dirted tank has not yet found its way. I would be patient.

[@rodneywalat8956]

Totally agree.

[@youtubeviewer9523]

Gotta love a dirted tank, cheap and explosive plant growth. I recently set up my first dirted tank 6 months ago and the plants are thriving!

[@paulbarrington-heaven4759]

Great! Mine too. Follower of Father Fish.

[@swimforward1700]

I would love to see this go longer. Love the insight this has given with side by side comparison.

[@fortzinsta2986]

Dirted Tank Pros - Cheap - Almost as good as aquasoil - Have almost 0 Ammonia and don't leech excess nutrients (depends on how use it and what kind) Dirted Tank Cons - Needs liquid fertilizing since substrate is not leeching any nutrients - a bit messy when you need to add/remove plants

[@metallixro]

If it needs fertilizer then in the longer run its not actually cheaper isnt it ?! Since ferts are the number one expense to maintain good plants.

[@fortzinsta2986]

@@metallixro yeah but aquasoil also can be depleted and therefore needs liquid ferts I have a dirted tank running for one and a half years and the substrate nutrient is still there. Meanwhile in the aquasoil tank running for 7 month I need to put root tabs and double liquid ferts dose than the dirted tank to keep it nourished

[@andreashessler838]

If you are having to add liquid synthetic fertilizer to a dirted tank, you have done it wrong. A good sand cap is the key.

[@mohammadsaminyasar3429]

@@metallixro dirted tank release nutrition slowly and lasts longer and aquasoil release nutrition very fast that you may need to change 50-80%water for the first week or 2 after then you will need to add root tabs for this reason amazonia version 2 gives root tabs in the pack

[@metallixro]

@@mohammadsaminyasar3429 Not every soil is like Amazonia, and v2 has less nutrients than v1. Tropica soil should last half a year before you need to add tabs.

[@robgaskins6505]

MJ, thank you for your time to make such excellent content videos. I built a 30 gallon dirted tank capping the dirt with black diamond blasting sand. It’s tough the first week water changes but really started clearing after the second week. Stocked It with 10 rummy nose tetras, 2 zebra danios, cherry shrimp, 3 corys, and rapidly increasing snails! Hundreds of baby snails. I’m scraping 15 or 20 off front glass daily. I absolutely love this planted glass box . My own world. Thanks again for your fun and instructive channel.

[@blucenere]

Great work! I hope to continue watching how this experiment proceeds in the future

[@philcarlino6942]

A really great experiment. I love that you are very thorough and wanting to figure out stuff for yourself. I think the phosphate difference is that the aqua soil tank has bba in it, which sucks up phosphates and that might be why it’s lower in there as compared to the soil tank that doesn’t have it. Algae, particularly bba, likes phosphate. I may try and get some phosphate remover into my tank that has a lot of bba and see if that helps anything. Now you’ve got me thinking. Thank you! Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

[@kemalgunes1519]

Both tanks are beautiful, and it is nearly impossible to come a conclusion that expensive soil is much better...

[@antonije]

I love this experiment! Especially the differences in trace elements in the water. Maybe keep it going for a bit longer? Or try to "fix" them both (by adding nutrients) to see if you can achieve same results with a bit of modification? :)

[@vikashdubey]

Awesome experiment! Adding some laterite/red soil into the dirt would have helped the red plants. Also for the carpet like you said the dirt should have been spread more towards the glass.

[@RajDarshan]

You Should do a Budget Aquascape with all budget items light,soil, filter and C02

[@joshgroenewald7454]

Your channel has pushed me to do my own little test to see that works for me. Thanks you have an amazing day!

[@JuanSalazar-xk3lq]

Please keep the experiment for a couple more months. It really is very interesting, nice work!!

[@joeanthony7933]

This was a great experiment. New Year, new experiment. Have a great holiday season.

[@MJAquascaping]

Thank you! You too!

[@nimaseyedmortazavi]

What about a lighting experiment ? One with cheap led light from amazon and one with ada light

[@MJAquascaping]

Could be a nice experiment!

[@AI3Dorinte]

yeah, would love to see that myself!

[@athelis4658]

Great aquariums! I would keep it going... Cheers from Greece and have a nice holidays!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

This video has been very helpful. I've been wondering what to try on my first planted tank. The less expensive soil or the more expensive pebble like soil like the Neo, Fluval Stratum, etc. Turns out the small bag of the aquascapers pond soil is exactly the amount i'll need for my tank and it was nice and inexpensive on Amazon. (I did see your latest side by side soil shootout as well and it was VERY insightful and a great test!)

[@KentAJDK]

Again a very great, inspirring and well exicuted tutorial video series. I have already shared link to a local auqa fora. 😊👍

[@MJAquascaping]

Awesome, thank you!

[@criteschristine]

Great episode and interesting test results. Although a new experiment would be awesome, I would be curious as to the longevity on nutrient supply between the two soil types.

[@igormysen4296]

been waiting for this update! thank you!

[@MJAquascaping]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@apt8012]

Both tanks are looking good, interesting comparison. I'm curious to see the big shallow as well again.

[@detlefh.7090]

Pond soil was covered with inert gravel which kept the nutients from leaking into the water column. That's the reason why the moss did so well in this tank! The other plants developed pale leaves because they did not reach into the nutrient layer immediately or well enough. In the aquasoil tank the moss looked a little yellowish comparably because the water was too high in nutrients for the moss to grow a vibrant green.

[@gladek800]

Thank you. This film was very good and teach me some new things. Greetings from Poland.

[@stnmllr1]

Keep the experiment going correcting the iron and phosphate to she what happens to the the plants in another 30 days. If the plants are similar in appearance, then saving money by using dirt for substrate is the way to go.

[@zacharykunzer2823]

Love this experiment! Please keep it going at least another month or so. Would be interesting to see if you started adding liquid fertilizer if they could ever be “equal” so to speak.

[@miniandy82]

Great work. Really interesting experiment, pleased you've followed through. How about dosing some fertilizer to improve. I would be interested to see if you can improve the look, what does each tank need, etc...

[@GabbyRocio]

Thanks for the plant list!

[@jasonvesagie]

please keep it going . i have started my own dirted tank and am curious to see more about the dirted tank . Thanks

[@handychristian]

Keep the experiment going for some more time please. Yours is the only channel that scientifically back up the difference between dirted tank vs aquasoil. Great one! Will actually try to start dirted tank myself after seeing your video.

[@arrowblue3909]

So how is your experience with dirted soul? I tried mine on 3 aquariums. The plants looks lush and healthy water is clear and I do less water changes now. Once a month 50 percent water changing

[@Ali-ik1mh]

Cool Experiment👌🏻 my Suggestion for next episodes: no Filter Tank vs Filter Tank:)))

[@22ajudd]

The decoration style In your home is real nice 👍

[@thomi234p9]

Love your videos. Your tanks look gourgeous. Doing this since 40 years, but so much has happend in the last 20 years, completely lost track of all the new inventions. Want to build a new tank now. Hope that it works this time. The last one was amazing in the first four months and then everything went to hell. Bit afraid now but its worth a try. Thanks

[@zabirmhmahdi4203]

Try dosing some mangnesium to the aquasoil, its the main metal ion in chlorophyl. And, iron to the dirted, would be interesting if those two can be matched :3

[@htetwaiyan7312]

Next, you can do about lighting. Happy holidays

[@ADPproductionsGR]

Mosses love phosphates and red plants love iron and low nitrates.

[@MJAquascaping]

great suggestion

[@ikanpari24]

i hope you're enjoying these experiments as much as we do

[@bossemichelsen2988]

I think you should test filter and no filter aquarium! This means one of it has no sponges and generally no stuff in it. Nice job mate! Really enjoying your videos! Keep it up :)

[@djstickxb2615]

That makes perfect sense as far as the plants.. Moss like more phosphate and nitrates.. And stems like more Iron and nitrates

[@Necrosias]

Keep it going. It is a very cool experiment

[@mementodolusmori3215]

u need to add the missing nutrients to see if this fixes the problems w the plants to get a good conclution, nice vids keep it up =)

[@jojocool555]

Keep going, really interesting experience.

[@pedrocastel8177]

Keep it and make a new experiment!! Happy new year and merry Christmas

[@adrianradu2332]

Lol I was actually expecting those results. The plants in the aquasoil tank are more red because of higher iron content. I threw more of a guess that the dirted tank had higher phosphates, reason why the moss was growing better, but I do not know if phosphates are particularly important for Moss. I know there are plants that absorb phosphates a lot more than others.

[@ADPproductionsGR]

Yes, mosses definitely need phosphates to put up their color.

[@DRaquascapes]

Please keep the experiment going, the depeletuon of nutrients over time in both tanks. Theres arguments that dirted tanks do well in the beginning,but decline over time faster than aquasoil.

[@nicolero8130]

They only deplete after a year or even longer, depending on the soil.

[@Joshua-uq9zw]

Its the other way around. Aquasoil declines after time

[@DRaquascapes]

@@Joshua-uq9zw if the EI method of fertilization is used,aquasoil can last up to 3 years,sometimes longer. With capped soil,nutrients will be depleted,without the ability to absorb added extra nutrients,the soil will be depleted of the Initial nutrients way before that.

[@wallytuber]

@@DRaquascapes I guess I'll find out. 2 years in my dirted tank so far. Plants look great. Algae at a minimum

[@McMerwe]

The BBA algae is from those stones you have in there. They have high mineral content. It increases the KH and GH. Not sure if it affects the phosphates.

[@nutmeggs]

Could you explain this a bit more? How BBA relates to increased KH and GH? If I'm understanding your comment correctly anyway. Lol. 😇 I had a BBA outbreak in my first tank with wood, and I happen to keep calcite rocks in it to help stabilize my KH.

[@rickyabdullah4758]

Nice experiment update 👍🏻

[@MJAquascaping]

Thank you 😁

[@YandiNoviyandi]

Keeps the dirt vs aqua soil tank for another month but add liquid fertilizer

[@nicolero8130]

Yes, please, I think it's interesting

[@abi5739]

I'm using dert in my aquarium, because I don't see the extra value in the aquasoil... Regarding phosphate and moss, that happened to me in a different way, the moss was always not good in my tank and at same time the tank got some BBA, but after dosing phosphate the moss has recovered well and became so healthy, at the same time the BBA completely gone away

[@nicolero8130]

Thank you for the video, I liked to watch the comparison. I have dirted tanks. There is no iron in water column in them. I add Tetra crypto tabs for swords and crypts (they contain chelated iron), however still iron in water is at zero. There is no point in watching the tanks longer, they will continue the same. I had nutrients depleted after a year of tank existence, so started to add them. It would be nice to see a new experiment. I am personally interested in biomedia and products that remove organics from water and allow to keep more fish in a tank.

[@Aquagold.goldysingh1313]

this series goingh so amazingly.. thanks legend...goldy

[@nimaseyedmortazavi]

Thanks mate, very interesting experiment

[@MJAquascaping]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BaculVania]

Nice vid. I'd like to see a two scape off: Tissue culture and emersed (what you'd buy online) Vs. Same plants from a grow out tank. Thanks!

[@Pray4Mojo1]

You should try seachem flourite gravel. Apparently it has high CEC, maybe try soaking some in fertilizer for a while and some straight from the bag. Put it to the test and see if it does hold nutrients, or it's just a expensive plain old gravel.

[@Elysian777]

That's why I add Iron filings and some broken/crushed brick to the soil when setting up a planted tank.

[@ZypherTheCrow]

Oh my god, that baby guppy is the perfect size for that vase. Very cute

[@marvinscotton8658]

Both tanks look amazing!

[@MJAquascaping]

Thanks!

[@virusgaming5928]

how about budget set-up with budget light & sponge filter vs high-end with high-end light (chihiros rgb 2 mini) and external filter?

[@nicolero8130]

I already can tell the results :))))

[@vegeboy01]

next is longterm test. Thanks for your sharing.

[@martinwelters370]

Try adding phosphate to the soil tank and Iron to the dirted tank, see if that change the plants/moss. Iron could be the reason for BBA.

[@johneales9490]

Just love the vase

[@antnewbon2673]

Very interesting chap.

[@metallixro]

Start a new experiment this one is pretty relevant already. Maybe go into lighting and plant growt like for example two tanks with a mix of easy/medium and a couple of harder ones, first tank kept at ~20 lumens/litre and the other high energy 50+/litre, both with proper co2, and proper ferts for each type, goal would be to see if you really need high lighting and which tank has the bigger algae problems.

[@lydiadones9317]

Keep it going for a few more months plz Thank you. Great experiment.

[@petervandieren]

I hope you keep them running longer. I am curious to see how long both systems will provide enough nutrients.

[@KenLe1998]

Happy holidays and Marry Christmas 🎄 🥳

[@MJAquascaping]

Same to you!

[@napasdelice]

Merry Xmas, MJ

[@MJAquascaping]

Merry Christmas!

[@selimselimoglu3805]

Great experiment! 👌👏🏻 New idea; proffesional Aquarium led light & led bulb light 🙏

[@anthonygiarrusso4312]

I use a very cool diy co2 set up that works like a charm and runs for well over a month if the ratios are correct. I use old wine bottles and fill it up about a third of the way with jello, just as much jello as you need to fill a third of your bottle but while the jello powder is dissolving in the boiling water add a few extra table spoons of sugar so its extremely sugary. once all the sugar has dissolved poor it into desired bottle and let cool until gelatinous. once the jello cooled and solid, in a separate container mix warm water with baking yeast and let it sit for a few minutes to activate. once activated (starts to bubble on top a bit) pour it in the bottle over the solid jello until the bottle is nearly full. then just hook it up with tubing so its airtight i just drill a hole in the cork and its snug enough to be airtight. also you can connect it to a second smaller bottle filled with plain water to percolate thatll help purify the co2. then just hook the tubing up to a diffuser and itll start to produce a constant output of co2 within hours thatll last you weeks. you can add a flow adjuster some where on the tubing to control the output into the tank because the fermentation can produce more co2 then desired

[@jocelynm3900]

You have the most soothing voice

[@hamedrummer1017]

Happy holidays!

[@MJAquascaping]

Happy holidays!

[@moominmumma952]

Nicely done Mark! Please may you give us a link to the test kit you use?

[@haroldt.5175]

Keep it going!

[@francispenaranda718]

Merry Christmas MJ, GodBless and continue on scaping....#ScapeOn

[@MJAquascaping]

Happy holidays!

[@jackhoppenbrouwer4745]

Yesterday seen a video of your "colleagues of Aquarium co op" called "No water changes". It's about a fish store owner in San Francisco. He has a complete different philosophy about tank setup. It's a great video. Should see it. Lots of contradictions to all scaping video's but his tanks look great. Cheap DIY solutions. Would give you plenty ideas for new experiments. Have a nice Christmas.

[@MJAquascaping]

Yeah I've seen that video! What an amazing store! Loved this guys story as well, very inspirational

[@mjmichaelhu9761]

Video idea: aquarium plant light vs normal desk lamp!

[@sshep86]

Should have gone full dirt mate. So much loam in store bought pond aqua soil which is basically fibrous organic material that doesnt spoil the water or disnitegrate or cloud. I created my own compost. Takes a long time, I did it with grass cuttings and kitchen offcuts of vegetales and fruits etc... After a year. It breaks down and turns into compost. I then rinsed the compost and poured off what would show in the water (basiucally fill a bucket, disturb it all by mixing it, wait a minute and then pour off whats in the water).. That took a while. Then I mixed it with sand and layed that as a base.. Topped off with a couple of centimetreses of sand/gravel it works wonders. Also. that moss looks like christmas moss or some morph of it. Weeping moss should weep. Literally fall over itself. I can share pics of my weeping moss with you. It falls over itself (downwards). Beautiful stuff, just cut the runners.

[@johnleee3804]

If you decide to change the experiment you should do diy co2 system yeast ,water and sugar vs citric acid co2

[@shaynaanderson3014]

Would love to see you race a dry start method tank vs high (drop checker in the yellow) Co2 injected tank!

[@spian]

They are two different soils that contain different nutrients. Although they share some of the same nutrients and ferz, they are different. Moss being a nonvascular plant and absorbing nutrients in the water quicker than any other living subject in any aquarium, including all the plants, makes this effect take place. Any little difference in water parameters can ignite this change in color. Even there being a little bit more or less Co2 in the tank! Beautiful tanks!

[@jazzh.3466]

This cleared up a question I was going to ask. Thank you!

[@pod543]

I wonder if you do a dirted tank and cap it with aqua soil you will get an amazing result?

[@craigquinn8225]

really good video... how would the phosphates effect the tanks. and would it be worth putting phosphate remover in the filter. I also noticed the co2 bubbling in the aquasoil tank. but it wasn't on in the dirted tank. I would like to see how they do without co2. and it was based purely on the soil. also the wood in the aquasoil tank with the algea is most likely affecting the study. because it might be taking the majority of the nitrates. because wood uses nitrates to break down. and if its weak wood it will do that.

[@blindinshadow109]

Maybe try mixing the pond soil and the aqua soil together in a tank. This may produce the best stems and moss. Would be interested to see if it had an effect.

[@MJAquascaping]

Great idea!

[@theallseeingeye9388]

I use dirt and cap with aquasoil. So when I break a scape up, the used aquasoil on the top is recycled into the bottom dirt layer of the new scape. I use a box of JBL Kugen balls which is crushed and sprinkled at the bottom thsn about 2 inch of a mixture of laterite, some clay organic top soil and used aquasoil. This is than capped with about 2 inch thick of aquasoil. I dark cycle the tank for about 3 to 4 weeks before planting. Except for a small squirt of liquid fert once a week, my soil lasts longer than my scape ever has.

[@Sinserg]

@@theallseeingeye9388 That's very interesting actually, I was thinking in trying something similar what a coincidence.

[@blindinshadow109]

@@theallseeingeye9388 do you see good all around growth with that setup? Been curious to find some more long term setup methods for my tanks. Right now it’s touch ups every month. But most of my reds just aren’t popping.

[@miha.s]

@@theallseeingeye9388 Thanks for sharing your method. Where do you get laterite from?

[@juliabecker8754]

I like the scientific approach

[@charliemcghie9085]

I did a aquascape using organic soil and capping that with some gravel, plants are flourishing! No fish in the tank at the moment as I simply want to see how the plants cope first

[@Smiley-fw9nz]

I'd love a video on trimming the plants. Cause trimming the tops, the tops are most beautiful, do you throw them away? Doesnt that leave an ugly looking stem? How to trim moss? I mean, really, so many questions 🤣

[@BuffalowBennie]

Tis movie realy is interesting for me i started a juwel trigon 190 a month ago with high light high co2 but no soil. Just used some playsand as a base layer with dark substrate over it only dosing colombo floragrow pro daily on a dosing pump. So far no fertilised soil is no problem. ❤

[@jimwilliamson5603]

I'm really enjoying this experiment and your content Mark. Would you conclude from this that a tank with dirt capped with aqua soil would be the best of both worlds? Seems like each system has nutrients the other is lacking. Or do you feel that if you were using liquid fertilizers the test results wouldn't be very different?

[@MJAquascaping]

You would think indeed that dirt capped with soil is the ultimate substrate! But I think if you are running a high tech setup, you will eventually have to start with liquid ferts as well

[@smithsworldtravel3975]

I'm just staring my aquascaping journey and it been great to watch your videos. I notice you don't have a bubbler - I'm guessing that's not necessary?

[@mrstea1813]

Have you ever done an ecosystem tank with no water changes? That would be interesting.

[@micahwatts5134]

This was a very interesting experiment but maybe time for a new one. What brand of test kit is that? Love all your videos, Merry Christmas 🎄 from Colorado 👋🏻

[@MJAquascaping]

It's a test kit from Sera!

[@ricksquiggles2473]

Keep it going.

[@sethwotten4400]

Please continue this experiment!

[@SmokeyPhil123]

Did the same few month ago with a lot more dirt. Added few snails and shrimps. No CO2. Well the plant growth is extrem but the water is brown always. Unless I do water changes. Long story short. I keep the aquarium to farm more and better plants only. For scaping fans I would not recommend it. Cheers

[@HB-mu5jy]

You should start it over and ame fore a dirt with more nutrients and maybe try out some slow leaking rout tabs and lay out the the dirt more to the front. See if u can get the Monte carlo to the same laved. Maybe try firtekiser. Maybe fertilize the tank like you normely do

[@samcollura4088]

Great video! Would you be able to provide what test kit you use?