soil

I have a 40 gallon tank with a bunch of low to neutral pH fish, but the tank is also heavily planted. My tap water pH is about 7.5 but I used some seiryu stone in the tank, and that raises both pH and kH. So I've been managing it using Indian almond leaves, but the tannins heavily reduce the...

Hi all it’s been a while but I’m glad to be back. Anyway as the title says I am setting up my first dirted tank and have a couple questions. Firstly, how do I know which soil is safe, I’ve heard organic topsoil is best but I’m scared I’m going to put something toxic in my tank? I’m also very...

I'm doing a fishless cycle of a dirted tank. The filter is cycled and has been going for over a year. Since I set up the tank more of this slimy tendrily stuff has appeared. On closer inspection under the microscope it turned out to be bacteria and infusoria. Anyone knows about this?

Hi, I need some advice on my aquascape substrate. What I want is for there to be gravel in the back and mostly sand in the front. The sand being for my horsehead loaches and cories. Very heavily planted with roots and some rocks. Med-tech. I bought some floredepot, but it's only enough for...

Hi Guys, Two days ago, (almost exactly three years into the lifetime of my planted discus tank), I finally resolved to get rid of my horribly coloured and tacky, (as well as completely waste saturated), substrate and replace it with some new quality stuff which I'd had my eye on for quite a...

Hi everyone, I thought I'd post a few pics of my Aquastart 500 planted tank on here, mainly because of the dearth of information on the web regarding these tanks. Specifically, whether a planted setup would indeed be viable given their 'unique' lighting system. These reasons almost put me off...

I love the look of paludariums and have always wanted to create one but I can't find any good sources that explain the process. Some of the ones I've seen have potting soil in the above ground part but I'd be worried about anything leeching from that potting soil into the water and possibly...