That is Sure a Dirty Aquarium by

That is Sure a Dirty Aquarium
by Rick Buys

Reprint from GVAC Newsletter Nov/Dec 2004

Several years ago I thought I would try an experiment with a tank that I had wanted to plant. A friend had said that he had heard of the idea of using dirt as the substrate. So I thought, "why not give it a try"? I took a 10 gallon tank and added about 1.50 inches of potting soil in the bottom and added about an inch of aquarium gravel on top of the dirt.

Filling the aquarium was done slowly, first adding enough water to cover the gravel with an inch of water and letting it set until the potting soil was fully saturated. Once the soil is saturated, fill the tank completely, being careful not to disturb the bottom, or you will end up with a tank full of mud! I then planted the aquarium with dwarf crypts and anubias nana, being careful to not stir the bottom.

Filtration for the tank is achieved with a small back filter. When cleaning of the gravel is needed, I very carefully vacuum the surface only! This tank has been set up and running for three years now, the plants are doing great! This aquarium worked so well that I also set up a 20 gallon "high" with the same type of dirt bottom. This tank is also growing well with crypts, rotalla and swords.

One last word of warning, make sure the fish you keep in a set up such as this are not diggers or you will definitely have a mess! I stock with livebearers, angels, tetras and corycats. the end