I have started soil based planted tanks in containers as small as 1gal without issues.
I have started some with a filter and later removed it and have started without a filter with equal success.
When I set one up-I add all my intended livestock the same day without problems or deaths.
You can have a successful planted tank by using inert substrate-but that is not a natural planted tank IMO.
With the soil based heavy planted tank-when setup properly-Once matured and balanced....Are as close to a natural ecosystem that can be created in a closed system-IMO/E....
Thanks, so can I start off a new tank adding plants and using the "old water" from my betta tank when I am cleaning Fred to "prep" the NPT as I collect more plants and shrimps before putting my Fred red VT and Moses the Marimo Moss in there?
I suppose checking on the water stats :ammonia, nitrites, nitrates will be needed in a plant-only tank in the interim?
How about this substrates from PetSmart & Petco?
Super Naturals Premium AQ Substrate
Eco Complete Planted Black AQ Substrate
CaribSea FloraMax Planted Aquarium Substrate
I too have a 5 gallon although currently empty and fishless. Although from what I gathered is that you can just start with plants, fish, substrate all in one day. I have yet to keep a NPT for leisure but I did have to keep one for a science project in school (it was for a bio lab).
With a NPT levels will eventually remain pretty stable and your fish, plant and shrimp will let you know too but that does not mean not to test your Ammonia, pH, and Nitrates and Nitrites.
I think most people should go the NPT route because it makes things so much easier and depending on your tank size a filter isn't always needed.
It's in the sticky I referenced in my original post, #1.
I am not sure how many plants are needed but it has a wide selection to pick from the list.
Ooooh, cool. I'm also wondering how many plants are needed. I have quite a few of the ones in the sticky in my 29g and I should be able to get some cuttings but I will probably need more I'm guessing.
Thats okay...but you should have left your post....
You don't need to use old tank water for the new tank-fresh dechlorinated is better.
When starting a soil based tank-it is important to start with enough of the right species of plants.
Thanks, so does that mean Prime may not work as well with a NPT since, according to their info, "Prime® may be used during tank cycling to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity. "?
Also
"Prime® also contains a binder which renders ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate non-toxic. It is very important to understand how those two functions work together. All dechlorinators operate through a chemical process known as reduction. In this process, toxic dissolved chlorine gas (Cl2) is converted into non-toxic chloride ions (Cl-). The reduction process also breaks the bonds between chlorine and nitrogen atoms in the chloramine molecule (NH2Cl), freeing the chlorine atoms and replacing them with hydrogen (H) to create ammonia (NH3).
Typically, dechlorinators stop there, leaving an aquarium full of toxic ammonia! Seachem takes the necessary next step by including an ammonia binder to detoxify the ammonia produced in the reduction process." <--If this is true, then will it make sense that the plants will pick up where the "other" dechlorinators stop in NPT?
Sorry, the info from Prime is confusing to me.
Excerpt from Seachem's website on Prime:
Product Description
Prime® is the complete and concentrated conditioner for both fresh and salt water. Prime® removes chlorine, chloramine and ammonia.
Prime® converts ammonia into a safe, non-toxic form that is readily removed by the tank’s biofilter. Prime® may be used during tank cycling to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity.
Prime® detoxifies nitrite and nitrate, allowing the biofilter to more efficiently remove them. It will also detoxify any heavy metals found in the tap water at typical concentration levels.
Prime® also promotes the production and regeneration of the natural slime coat. Prime® is non-acidic and will not impact pH. Prime® will not overactivate skimmers.
Use at start-up and whenever adding or replacing water.
Check out the eBook Betta Fish Care Made Easy
Similar Threads
