Dirted Tank Setup | No Water Changes, No Dosing, No CO2

✅More information here!✅
What's up everybody! I'm really excited for this low tech little dirted tank. I've been having some really great results using topsoil instead of potting mix and it just makes me think off all the different substrates I'm able to use now.
Music By
"Kinfolk"
Instrumental by Homage
• Video
Tank is a WaterBox Aquariums, Clear Mini, 10 Gallon 20x10x12 inches
Equipment!
Filtration is a AquaClear 20 HOB - amzn.to/2yOJnCI
Heater is a Fluval M series 50W - amzn.to/359H4pW
Lighting is a Chihiros A Series A501 with the stainless steal leg kit
( Lighting is on for 8 hours a day )
Substrate method is Osmocot plus pellets with Seachem flourish root tabs dirt and the Cap is CaribSea Peace River Gravel ( Used about 3/4 of a 20lb bag )
buceplant.com/
h20plants.com/
aquariumplants.com/
aquaforestaquarium.com/
Plant List!
Crypt Sri Lanka
S. Repens
Anubias Nana petite
Anubias Nana
Anubias Golden coin
Dwarf Lily
Amazon frogbit
#KeepItPlanted
#ThePlantedTank
#Aquascaping

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

*Loving* these dirt setups. Have *you* tried a top soil dirted tank yet? If so what were the results? These tanks with top soil are inspired by Regis Aquatics go check out his videos! They are great! ✌🙂 Again thank you all for the love!

[@SpiritAquatics]

I did, but it was an algae magnet... So now I pay a little extra and use aquasoil. Just uploaded my new nano aquascape if you'd like to check it out :)

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@SpiritAquatics Aquasoil is my favorite but this top soil is quickly catching up. I think top soil is better but only because it is so much cheaper! I got a 2$ bag of 40lbs and on 17.6lb bag of aquasoil is almost 50$ That kills me haha

[@fergusfold6269]

I did organic potting soil and black blasting sand as a cap. I had the typical diatoms at the beginning, and mild green spot on the glass now. No other problems. No root tabs, and Easy Green once a week with water changes. I'm about 3 months out.

[@anthonybrown8158]

I had my 75 g dirted. Then I moved now I run a underground diy filter so I change it to eco complete.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@fergusfold6269 that's good to hear. I just never really had great growth with that stuff. Could be just my water parameters mixed with it that didn't work out. Not quite sure.

[@sugarbabie1681]

Pro tip mention the old filter and why its okay to add live stock in right away avoid those comments lol. Looking good tho! Fixing to give this a try

[@CrappyCornFlake]

I'm diggin' the jungle aquascape. That's my favorite way to set up an aquarium. You put in a bunch of plants and observe what happens. All natural!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@sharronmiller451]

Beautiful!!

[@carolallain6130]

Your tanks are always beautiful, you make it look so easy J. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@weloveyou1234]

Recently discovered your chanel, thoroughly enjoying binge watching everything youve made!! Only one problem... You make me wanna re scape my nano with every video i watch 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 big thumbs up!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

That's awesome thank you so much haha !🙏🙂

[@rickeydonn]

This vid was so very helpful and full of great useful info for this planted beginner

[@BuurmanHans]

I don't know why, but your voice gives me a chill vibe. I like your vids man! Keep it up

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thank you so much man! ✌🥰

[@marciesocal7553]

As always, beautiful tank The dwarf lily will be the start of the show

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

For sure! Thanks you for the support! Much appreciated! ✌🙂

[@toriechuntraruk3611]

Really beautiful tank

[@sharronmiller451]

Beautiful scape. I want to try this!!

[@OtterCreekAquatics]

Looking Good man! Keep up the good work!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thanks brother! Glad to see you're still kickin it around! ✌🙂🙏

[@jayzkissnazass]

You did your thing

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

🙏🙏

[@elizabethpolyak4522]

Looks really good, can't wait to see how it looks when the plants fill in. Thanks for another great video. Stay safe...

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Same Thank you so much! ✌🙂🙏

[@l.chr.6653]

Hello from Denmark! I love your aquascapes. You are a great inspiration. They look amazing! :-) Keep up the good work!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

✌🥰

[@jayrowe6473]

I like it. I hope to be setting mine up in a couple weeks.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Awesome! ✌🙂🙏 Hope you get good results! ✅

[@TBizzell68]

I like this so much I went and picked up a 20 high this morning for my bedroom, and will be setting it up over the next few weeks. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

[@magdalenagaton2737]

Love your videos

[@arkansasboy45]

Great video!

[@MateuszSalawaAquascaping]

Jungel style is great idea for this tank 👍 😉.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

✌🥰

[@tomlee7258]

I am enjoying your channel!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thank you so much man!

[@Jack_beginner]

Another beautiful set up. Keep going with jungle style, you are skilled in it!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

🥰 Jungle style is my favorite I think. 🙏

[@Brantov]

Very interesting your video. Beautiful aquarium. I wish you all the best, my friend.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thank you so much brother! All the best! Stay safe out there! ✌🙂🙏

[@EliBelcherBeatbyeli]

Brilliant idea to put sand around the perimeter to hide the soil, you’re the first I’ve seen do this, thanks so much 😍 now I know what to do for my next scape, your videos are very informative and beginner friendly !

[@adamcenteno6155]

You should look up Father Fish. He’s been doing it for at least 79 years. I consider him to be the master at fish keeping.

[@LeeDfined]

Super creative

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

🙏

[@lucasmcnulty5567]

Nice looking tank bro

[@bluejaystudio2029]

Talented 🧐 nice videos, thank you

[@WorldAquariumSingapore]

Nice tank there cheerss

[@madfishdiva]

So good to see you. Hope you are well. I'm going to do my first dirted tank this spring/summer this was good information.I will say that I love flourish tabs but they put a lot of nutrients in the water column and I ended up with crazy green hair algae. I just got that tank back to "balance" and it took almost 3 months to get it there. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works for you because we all know "results may vary"!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Absolutely! I';m doing great thank you! I hope you are doing good as well! Thank you for all the love! ✌🥰

[@SamPonjican]

I’ve been keeping planted tanks for almost 15 years and also don’t understand why I haven’t tried this method until last month! Also inspired by Regis Aquatics and Foo the Flowerhorn. Can’t believe how well they are doing!

[@SamPonjican]

Link to my most recent update... kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2a3dZZmgtiHd6c

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Yeah It's so much less money spent compared to aquasoil. Yet so much better results in my case.

[@SamPonjican]

I’m glad you mentioned topsoil as opposed to potting soil. Most people who’ve been turned off this method seem to use the excessively nutrient dense potting soil.

[@florentincioaba7989]

Bravo from Romania

[@mollychrisa1]

Wow, thank🤩

[@jeannieb4554]

You really have a very creative eye! Thank you once again for an Amazing video! Your step by steps are Awesome!😊

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thank you so much Jeannie B! Hope you and your family are all doing well! ✌🥰

[@jeannieb4554]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Thank you. We are all doing Good here. Hope You and Your family are all doing well, safe and Healthy! 🥰😁

[@Alexandre-fo5nz]

I am seeing good results on your setups. One day I will setup an aquarium with Topsoil instead of tropic soil. keep it planted✌

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

💪 thank you so much man love is always appreciated around here! Means a ton! ✌🙂

[@cristianchan5402]

Thank you for KZbin... now i am not an aquascaper anymore... but i am the dirt collector now... they should not change for a long period... not only nitrification bacteria will exist, but also heterotropic bacteria... which is the best nitrate predator and produce Fe3... that iron will give your micro nutrition for your plant... so... do not jealous if KZbin told you about no water change until 1 or more years... make sense... indeed... sorry i am not offence about other high rich nutrient soil...they keep worth but....... i will keep choose the compost things...

[@user-wz7in1sd2w]

Green aqua should see this

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

🥰

[@VanNguyen-ns6ck]

After doing lots more research on a balanced substrates for planted tanks that will last, I think the above setup you have is the best setup for me; since the top soil beneath the gravel will likely not get disturbed and can last for a very long time (6-8 years according to some forum users). I'll likely get the same Peace River gravel and get a similar top soil I can find in Canada and use Flourish root tabs (maybe Osmocote if I can find it in smaller quantities). I plan on using 1 inch of top soil (1.5 inch if that works) at the bottom followed by 2 inches gravel on top, no need to hide the dirt layer.

[@Aquatasy]

That turned out really nice. Can't wait to see this tank again after everything grows in. As far as the fauna, what do you have in there besides Cherry Shrimp? Did I see Emerald Eye / Eye Spot Rasbora in back by the lily?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Yes they are emerald eye rasboras. Unfortinetly I love 4 of them to jumping out. They are spooked really easily and I don't recommend them for rimless tanks. Thank you so much! ✌🥰 Fish list right now is 2 Glowlight tetras ( 5yrs Old now ) 3 black neon tetras ( 3years old ) and the to emerald eye rasboras. with TONs of cherry shrimpys lol

[@lorenzospina3174]

This tank looks so natural 😉.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Oh just wait haha ✌🙂🙏🙏🙏 Thank you!

[@Ttblondey]

Nice

[@ctsfiddler]

I like your videos Jay, do you know why, i'll tell ya, originality, unique ideas, that's why. nice job.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

That's awesome man! Thank you so much for all the love brother! ✌🙂🙏🙏🙏

[@larrydschiliheadaquatics]

Looks good few weeks should be awesome

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Only time will tell but I've got high hopes! ✌🙂🙏🙏🙏

[@madturtle8826]

Thanks for the video. I am about to try my first dirted tank, and I was going to use organic potting mix, but you changed my mind. With the osmocote, do you ever run into problems with ammonia spikes down the road?

[@anthonybrown8158]

I was think some thing. Was different about the root tab. They used to be shape kind like stop sign shape. Great video

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Yeah they seem like they are pressed in stead of cast.

[@Mikinct]

Great video! Nice job. Scape looks killer. I had same issues. Tried many potting mixes & Never got that explosive plant growth seen by other KZbin’s. Once I used root Tabs, bingo! Guessing certain organic potting mixes have different results.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Yeah I tried foo the flower horns methods he leaned from Diana walstad and it just never worked for me. But this works awesome! ✌🙂 Thank you for the love! 🙏

[@mootsym]

beautiful tank and I appreciate the video. How often do you have to replace the Osmocot plus pellets, and how do you go about doing that in a tank as densely planted as this? The root tabs I know have to be done every 4-6 months, but those are a bit easier to get in and there aren't as many as than the pellets. But doesn't putting in the tabs make a dirty mess? Do you just do a re-scape once/year with new pellets and dirt?

[@craighealy6186]

Hi Jay I have been enjoying your channel for a while. You are putting out some very good information. I am going to do a dirted tank as you have shown, but instead of capping it with gravel I am going to cap it with eco complete. I want a natural black substrate, I don't want to use any man made black substrate like coal slag. Do you think it will work out well?

[@vijayjoseph8164]

Thanks for all of your efforts! Topsoil soil is not available for sale where I live. Would you recommend something that can be used as substrate? Thanks!

[@flaviodesignaquariums1690]

I like it..

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

🙏

[@l.chr.6653]

It looks really good! Love your vidios and aquascapes! I have a question for you about two types of tropical freshwater fish. Rasbora Hengeli and Lemon Tetra. Can they live together? And how many of each species would you recommend in a 30 liter aquarium? In the aquarium there will be plants, stones, roots and CO2.

[@sabugdalantx]

Amazing, I wish I can get healthy plants like this during this Covid19 pandemic! I tried to order some plants via Amazon and it was shipped via USPS and by the time it arrived, they were all half dead.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Aw man that sucks. I have a few different companies linked in the description to check out after all this is over with. That sucks to hear.

[@asifali007]

i used top soil with used aqua soil capping but unfortunately had 4ppm ammonia (despite of water change)for 7 days which killed all my plants ..now i lowered the water level 90% and growing plants emersed(daily spray twice with liquid fert)..so far seeing some growth..will fill the water back again once all plants are established..lesson learnt.. so next time i do walstad ..i will check ammonia levels before starting to plant

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

That is why doing huge 80% water changes twice a week for the first two weeks are so important. With aquasoil and dirt there should really never be any need for liquid fertilizers unless you really know what you're doing. That just asking for an absolute mess of algae. Also using aquasoil and dirt together is just never recommended. That is a TON of nutrients. I'm using organic potting mix capped with gravel in a 40g right now with very good growth. Adding aquasoil would just be overkill. Also were your plants newly purchased? They could just be transitioning from Emersed growth to submerged growth which typically causes some melting regardless of how established your set is or isn't. Once you fill your tank fully with water they are going to have to go through that process and you'll be wondering why your plants are melting again. 💚💚

[@invertevision4757]

I only do dirt tanks! And gotta love that S. repens! Probably my fav carpeting plant. I must say tho my fav plant is hygrophila pinnatifida. Got my first set yesterday. Cant wait to see them grow! Atm I only have 2 tanks, 1 10gal and a 5gal (

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

That's awesome man! I think it is my favorite carpet plant too! You'll never stop buying tanks now haha ✌🙂🙏

[@Between_the_numbers]

Do you bake your soil ?

[@koaks06]

How do you keep the plants from floating when flooding?!?! Having serious issues with this.

[@suman5492]

Is vermicompost okay to be used as the base capped with sand?

[@Rivergirl2878]

Should I bake my potting soil as well?

[@treycav]

Awesome setup man! You from the Philly/Delaware area by chance? You got the same tone to your voice as all my buddies around here. Keep up the great work dude

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I'm from columbus ohio! Only about 3 hours away my friend! haha ✌🙂🙏

[@danieldoherty8805]

Hi fantastic video lad! Greetings from Ireland - was just wondering what type of crypts that tallish green one was that you planted towards the back? Thanks a million lad sound out bai!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

All plants are listed in the description! Thank you so much for the love and support! ✌🥰

[@moeshawnz]

This was extremely informative to watch! After how long would you need to change the tabs given you added the pallets as well?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thank you. I would add more tabs after about 4-6 months!

[@JR-kr9cb]

What type of background did you use

[@mirtagordillo3486]

Wow that's a beautiful dirt setup one day I'll try to do one I have 3 10gal tanks and 2 40gal tanks and 2 4ft tanks I don't know how many gals those take.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thank you so much! You definitely gotta give this a shot! ✌🙂🙏

[@mirtagordillo3486]

Yes I will 😀

[@phaelax]

Will the amazon frogbit take over like duckweed? I'd be afraid of it blocking out all the light (i've had duckweed do that before)

[@lukas______]

Do you have a link for the top soil you use? HD/Lowe's?

[@asifali007]

you didnt stick the driftwood to the rocks with superglue and cotton pad?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

No. lol

[@jfsavage2708]

how do you keep algae off of your lava rocks?

[@vinn3327]

For my 20lt filter less tank 1/2 inch fertilized top soil 2in sand . No gravel .. lava rock, spider wood with java fern n moss Monte Carlo n duckweed with some red floaters dwarf grass , red cherry shrimp. Haven't done anything to it in a yr . Only water top up.

[@hanas_340]

The ideal ratio for me is an inch of dirt plus an inch and a half of gravel/sand. The dirt tends to expand in the first months and eats a lot of the gravel/sand.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

This only happens to me if I use potting mix. Hasn't expanded on me using top soil yet but I will make a update on this as I can monitor the dirt from the back of the tank.

[@hanas_340]

@@ThePlantedTankTV i used rich organic soil. Its basically the same as potting soil. P.S. i love your videos, love your content and your all aquariums/aquascapes.

[@avgft3419]

What type of driftwood is that?

[@davidwilkins6832]

Hey bro what top soil brand did you use ? thx !!

[@fernandosalazar730]

Do you know the brand of soil you used

[@lynewt6620]

Hi Jay, do you ever use lids on your tanks? Or do you take them off for the videos? Aesthetically I’d really rather not use them but most people seem to think they are important and I’m just wondering if there are any reasons beyond evaporation and escaping fish (which is something I have never had happen). Your tanks are always to elegant and they’ve inspired me to start planting my own now! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. :)

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I don't use lids unless I'm using a standard rimmed aquarium. Thank you so much for the kind words and support! ✌🥰

[@csmhybrid]

If you want a tank like this and want it to last years do a Father fish tank. Look him up and study his methods i have a tank set up for 4 years no maintenance. You sacrifice 5 inches of the tank but its worth it

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Yeah his tanks are cool just not up to my standards ✌🥰

[@zaeemahmed3269]

Baking it is important?

[@mauritiusexoticfishrv6574]

I love the simplicity of this scape 😍🌱🌿🔥 but adding shrimp and fish straight isn't risky?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Nope! Not when you have a ton of floating plants and a cycled filter! Plants do most of the work filmmaking a video on this subject tomorrow. I've answered it seriously like 100 times so stay tuned for tomorrow's video! You dont want to miss it. ✌🙂

[@mauritiusexoticfishrv6574]

@@ThePlantedTankTV it's my first time in your channel 😂🍀💯 and tank you for the clarification

[@bashlivingstonstampededojo882]

I feel the substrate should be a little deeper but if it works for you that's fine too..

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

No this is plenty trust me! Have faith in my abilities haha ✌🥰

[@lseica]

Hi. Neved done dirted tank but planing to do. How will PH be affected by the decomposing dirt ? Especially if you use poting soil that contains a lot nutrients that produces acids. Thank you

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I haven't really had any issues with that. My PH has been pretty stable for the most part.✌🥰

[@someguy4844]

Baking the soil....F...good idea got to that next time.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

✌🤣

[@edatx]

How were you able to add livestock so quickly? Looks awesome!!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I've been using this filter on this tank for a long time so it's already cycled. 🙏🙂

[@intmanu13]

How did you add shrimp right away? Doesn’t the tank need to be cycled? And what are they eating

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

My filter has been cycled a long time. Also plants absorb a ton of ammonia and nitrite. No need for "Cycling" a planted aquarium unless you start with a small amount of plants.

[@rockfella27]

How is the tank doing now?

[@NewsFlashJustIn]

Whats your opinion on deep substrates (like 4-6 inches)? Also you may see more algae issues when using a thin layer of gravel, rather than sand, over the dirt because it is able to slowly leech through, as the gravel compacts less.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

They are great the deeper you can get them. But In smaller tanks it takes up too much room! I haven't had any algae in this tank so far. I always use a lot of floating plants to absorb excess nutrients released by the dirt so I don't ever really have algae issues to be honest. Update on this tank is coming tomorrow. All the plants are already thriving in there. haha It's nut the amount of growth I get using this top soil. ✌🥰

[@davidrix804]

Hi there i have a 50 gallon tank and about to prepare a dirted tank,how deep should the dirt be,im thinking maybe 1inch or 2inch,and im capping it off with 2 inchs sand,is it ok to top the sand with 1inch gravel?🙏🙏🙏🙏🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@MrEbrahimBalwa]

Hi, this is the first time I got a planted tank, plant growth is healthy but the inside of the tank the glass gets slightly hazy and has tiny green spots. It comes back within 3 to 4 days of cleaning it. What could it be?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Just keep up on water changes and make sure the tank is not getting to many nutrients. You could also dim your lights a bit. But this is all a part of planted aquariums!

[@thomascampbell4660]

Awesome tank! What is that white fluval tube next to the aquaclear filter?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Just a 50watt heater

[@thomascampbell4660]

@@ThePlantedTankTV thanks for replying fast. I just swapped to the aquaclear filter and it cleared up my green water algea in seconds. Just replaced all my filter media and I'm waiting for dragon stone to come today. I got fluval stratum and the fluval plant 3.0 light and am going to try to set up a carpet plant today

[@Megatog615]

i'm thinking of restarting a 10-gallon setup that won't grow anything(even with nutrient tabs) that has old eco-complete substrate. do you think it would work if i took everything out and put a thin layer of potting mix at the bottom and the old eco-complete on top? basically what i want to know is if you think eco-complete is dense enough to hold dirt down.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I would recommend not using eco-complete. That stuff is really old school and doesn't really compare to the newer methods of today. I'm surprised they even still make it haha.

[@kjeldlarsen912]

Nice to see you not made it into a sodastream akvarium (co2)

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Most of my tanks don't use co2. But I wish I could use it on all of them. Co2 grows plants incredibly fast.

[@kjeldlarsen912]

Maybe but for me the real thing is to find the balance without co2 that's the challenge co2 is expensive and a lazy way ...but that's me

[@weloveyou1234]

Quick question. Im having alot of like green dusty algae on my rocks, i can't get it off with a tooth brush amd i cant remove the rocks or my fluval stratum soil will just mud the water all up? Any ideas? I have 5 amano shrimp and 4 cherrys in the tank along with 1 german Blue ram and 2 galaxy rasboras and 3 nerite snails.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I would just take them out and water change out all the muddiness from stirring up the fluval stratum. Don't be affraid to do a huge water change. Some people like the way the algae looks on the rocks. I do and don't at the same time haha depends on the scape.

[@weloveyou1234]

@@ThePlantedTankTV thank you so much for the reply. Ill remove two of the rocks amd clean then the 3rd is being used a a kind of Wall and if i move it all my bank will fall down and ruin my scape haha 😂

[@jeffreyleikachon1]

Any tips on cherry shrimp with CO2 injection??

[@ArnoldQMudskipper]

Don't inject CO² into cherry shrimp 😋

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I would just use it as normal. They dont seem to mind it at all in my case. 🙏🙂

[@cynthiaponce2133]

@The Planted Tank You should try to tune in at @Father Fish videos, he does really good advice about dirted tank, and natural balance.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I actually disagree with a lot of things he talks about. He kind of dwells too much on old stuff. A lot has changed and we've all learned a lot over time.

[@cynthiaponce2133]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Oh I see. Because I was able to successfully build a dirt tank because of his method, and my fishes didn't die. I don't really know what has changed in fish keeping because I just started. But, I am having no problem as of the moment. Thank you for your reply.

[@MatchuCT]

I noticed that you don't like gluing your plants. Any particular reasons for that? Really like your videos!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Yes actually! I really like to keep my hardscape and reuse it for future scapes so a big white splotch of super looks really ugly to me. It's not hard to remove it from wood but on rocks it's almost impossible to get it all off. Thank you so much for the support! ✌🥰

[@xeladood]

Are those floaters frogbit or water lettuce? I don't have much luck using the HOB aqua clear and floaters.. they always just melt.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

The filter shouldn’t have much to do with them melting. We’re you dosing liquid fertilizer?? They are frogbit btw.

[@xeladood]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Whoa didn't expect a reply since this is an older video. My theory is that the frogbit kept getting caught in the flow of the filter and the top leaves kept getting wet.

[@SaadFAzam]

What do you do if the substrates get mixed? Just starting out and when pouring water over... I poured it in directly from the bucket like a maniac instead of pouring it in slowly... so that got everything mixed up. I was using Fluval Stratum and Carib sand. Still learning my lesson... Thinking at some point, I'll have to empty everything back out and just start completely over. Can those substrates be separated once mixed?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Your fine if you use aqua soil but if it was dirt you’d have a never ending mess and have to completely restart from scratch….

[@SaadFAzam]

@@ThePlantedTankTV what do you mean by aqua soil. I if used fluvial stratum. Is that considered aqua soil?

[@monaangela4667]

👍👍👌👌

[@adastraperporci8829]

Question: I just set up my soil and pebbles but noticed I did about 3/4 inch. Im debating taking it down and adding. Im not sure what plants im going to plant but i want to have the option to as I learn about the different plants

[@adastraperporci8829]

It's a 10galon so it'll take a bit to redo. No fish yet

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

3/4 of an inch of soil is perfectly fine!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Im currently using 1/2 an inch of soil and 1.5 inches of sand on top with good results! You just gotta be careful and not make a mess moving plants around and pulling plants out! I think your fine! Theres no specific amount of either that you have to have.

[@aidenmohrmann1850]

Well I was this close to using potting soil but now I'll definitely switch to top soil. You really seem to have hacked the system seeing that the easiest way is also the coolest, cheapest, and healthiest

[@Finerpapichulo]

❤️

[@PlantswithCoffee]

Possible to soak in boiling water for couple of minutes the soil instead baking it? Do u think its possible?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

You would boil all of the nutrients out of it so I wouldn't recommend that.

[@PlantswithCoffee]

@@ThePlantedTankTV if i dont have oven, what can u recommend as substitute, i mean without even frying in a pan... is it okay to use the washed soil in tap water instead?

[@michaelsanjunly6780]

is it bad or will harm fish if i use too many osmocote under the substrate??

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

No. As long as it doesn’t have a chance to come up you’ll be fine. The only thing it’ll hurt is shrimp and snails

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

I've found that after a year or so...topsoil becomes pure clay underwater..not great for roots. Best to use potting soils. Also,with a light fish load..sure you can go months without a water change but since you still have to make up for evaporation?..might be a good time to make a small change every couple a weeks.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I how can it become pure clay if it's not pure clay when you put it in? Potting mixes have a ton of peat moss in them which diana walstad doesnt not recommend because it keeps the soil too acid in order to decompose and the stuff she recommends isnt available in my area. Believe me I have tried. This top soil is only 18% clay says right on the bag of what its make up is. It's just straight up dirt. And btw clay is fantastic for plant roots. Aquasoil does the same this. It get hard and compact after about a year. And my plants still thrived in that. Aquasoil is a clay based substrate and it grows plants perfectly fine. Didn't do any water changes in my last dirt setup and it did very well and fine were never unhappy either. Not saying water changes arent good. But they arent always necessary. Nature is going to do its thing. 🙂👍

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

@@ThePlantedTankTV The same way any local artificial reservoir or farm pond becomes clay..all that soft organics in it dissolve underwater..leached out. What's left is impermeable clay. Funny,but I've read Walstad writings that potting soils were fine,any high quality brand would do. She said that. I'm sure in dirted tanks where the clay gets mixed in the gravel,it seems fine..but its just taking up root room. There is a lot of fantasy beliefs in dirt tanks. Aquarium plants are not terrestrial plants..they are more hydroponic like. Only the leaves do more nutrient absorbing then the roots. Dirted tanks quickly are leached out..you don't see aquascapers using that method at all. Its all about dosing.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@StanTheObserver-lo8rx the dosing I believe is very important. But I can tell you from experience my heavy root feeders really benefit from using dirt. Most potting soils use pete moss and walstad doesnt. Even aquasoils dont last long but the key I believe is to keep nutrients at the roots as much as possible. Roots tabs and dosing care very important. But dosing a dirted tank while it's still leaching is useless altogether. I see what you are saying for sure. I still firmly believe aquasoil is the best method by far but when it comes to setting up a planted aquarium on a budget. Nothing is beating a topsoil planted tank. Its insanely cheap. A bag of sand plus enough dirt to last several small aquarium setups cost less than one of the cheapest aquasoil bags. Which for anything more than a 10 gallon is going to be upwards of 40$ I can set up several tanks of 10 gallons for less than 15$. Nothing is beating that and that is my only reason for doing this. I'd use aquasoil if i could. I talk a lot about dosing and root tabs in my videos. It's simply the answer to lush growth other than using co2. Love the conversation man! ✌🙂

[@izabelbajema151]

I’ve been wanting to try a dirted tank for a long time now, the problem is that I only have one tank and it’s already stocked. What I’ve heard is that you have to re-cycle the tank if you use potting mix. Do I still have to re-cycle if I use top soil and root tabs?

[@titanproductions6350]

Might wanna change ur pfp bud

[@dolf9565]

Honestly at this point if you plan on putting more root tabs and min in the next 8 months or so you dont need dirt the tabs are enough

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I dont plan on adding more. But yeah I agree they are enough on their own. I've been wanting to try that out again. Just gravel and root tabs. I tried it once but my plants grew very slow. 🙏🙂

[@dolf9565]

Plants do look good keep it up!

[@shesellsfish]

👍💓👍