Is Substrate Heating Recomended?

[FishBeast]

I have read that under substrate heating is good to create a convection effect by allowing water of pass down through the substrate as it cools and back up as it heats, which carries nutrients to the roots of the plants. Also it is supposed to minimise anaerobic conditions occuring in the substrate due to it not stagnating.

Any thoughts?

 

[Gav935]

The general consensus these days seems to suggest that its a bit of a waste of time and money, save your cash for a decent substrate instead.

 

[aaronnorth]

they dont improve plant growth so why spend money? (if they do tit is minimal)

aneirobic conditions are actually good in the substrate.

most substrate have a high CEC (cation exchange capacity) which means positive ions are drawn into the substrate making them available to roots anyway!

 

[degsod]

they dont improve plant growth so why spend money? (if they do tit is minimal)

aneirobic conditions are actually good in the substrate.

most substrate have a high CEC (cation exchange capacity) which means positive ions are drawn into the substrate making them available to roots anyway!

Hi Aronnorth,

I was reading on the forums some where that you had to keep on sirring up the substrate to stop the anerobic bacteria from forming. Years ago it was the thought that anerobic was needed.

Which train of thought is right as I am confused.

 

[aaronnorth]

i know, that was before i knew best! I learn new things everyday. lol.

H2S is deadly, but it is oxidised immediatley upon contact with oxygen. We know there is O2 available as our fish are surviving! The smell is just the sulphurs.

It converts nitrates into Nitrogen gas, which is sometimes what you see rather than the H2S.

If the substrate is oxygen rich then it keeps some elements locked up in the oxided precipitates meaning plants cant use them.

The substrate will happily accept more electons therefore bringing positive elements such as K+ Mg++ Ca++ etc into the substrate.

So as you can see it is pretty useful. Some of my old post are quite bad, but in the last 6months or so they have become more helpful and consisitent lol

 

[degsod]

So are we going for don't stir up the substrate so as to allow the anerobic bacteria to flourish?

 

[aaronnorth]

So are we going for don't stir up the substrate so as to allow the anerobic bacteria to flourish?

yes, besides, it would be impossible to keep on top of it anyway!

 

[degsod]

So are we going for don't stir up the substrate so as to allow the anerobic bacteria to flourish?

yes, besides, it would be impossible to keep on top of it anyway!

Great!!! that will save me one job anyway.

 

[SuperColey1]

should be pointed out that stirring to avoid anaerobic substrates should still be done in deep non planted sand substrates.

AC

 

[aaronnorth]

should be pointed out that stirring to avoid anaerobic substrates should still be done in deep non planted sand substrates.

AC

why?

 

[three-fingers]

For fun? Yeah, gotta ask why.

Also, why would you have a deep non-planted substrate in the first place unless you have fish that will dig in it anyway, or are specifically looking for anerobic conditions to reduce nitrates?

 

[FishBeast]

cool, thanks guys. I am fully ejoying all this reading I have been doing. There is just so many things to consider when setting up my new tank.

 

[SuperColey1]

Although I don't understand the science I was under the assumption that the plants roots bring O into the substrate thus providing the bacteria O. Would it not be the case if the substrate goes anaerobic and is a non planted that they would not get their O?

I assumed it was the actual plants that rendered this a myth in the case of planted tanks only.


For the other Op I agree that why have a deep substrate if not planted but some people do

AC

 

[three-fingers]

Although I don't understand the science I was under the assumption that the plants roots bring O into the substrate thus providing the bacteria O. Would it not be the case if the substrate goes anaerobic and is a non planted that they would not get their O?
AC

Ah, it's not an issue if the bacteria don't get O2, they will then be forced to use NO3 as an O source and thereby completing the nitrogen cycle. It just happens slowly through diffusion, and anerobic substrate isnt a problem, as gasses released as bubbles every now and then are not a problem for the aquarium, partly consisting of just N and H2S, which as Aaron explained are harmless to the aquariums inhabitants .

 

[SuperColey1]

Another thing learned then. I knew the part Aaron explained but assumed it was a planted thing

AC