10 Gallon Hood/Light
Ric, I’ve seen Tom Barr’s articles in TFH from time to time, but never had the inclination to visit his web site which you mentioned, so I don’t know all that he recommends. I’m not at all into high tech planted aquariums, I only know what works and has worked for ages. The higher intensity light (of 3 Watts per gallon), as you would call it, allows the plants to take full advantage of the available nutrients up to a point . . . and that point in low tech aquariums is any and all of the relatively little amount of nutrients available, when compared to using flourite, laterite, CO2 and all the rest which have proven to be unnecessary, even though quite helpful and most beneficial with “high tech plantings.”
I haven’t frequented Tom’s site mainly because my main interest in my hatchery is breeding fish, although I’ve always enjoyed growing plants. Belonging to the Aquatic Gardeners Association, I’m well aware of the changes being made lately, but that’s not to say that good plants cannot be grown in more simpler manners as had always been done in years past. I can appreciate high tech plantings and can respect the methods used to grow a lot of those red varieties (I’m one to enjoy looking at these types, even if I’m satisfied with growing greens).
I see you’re a relative newcomer, although 30 years in the hobby is somewhat respectable. Some of us have been in the hobby a good while longer (I’ve enjoyed it for about 60 years now), and have experienced a lot more of what has gone on and what has progressed over the years — and what methods have continually succeeded. Yes, as I mentioned, hobbyists have been using soils of different mixes in their tanks, under the gravel, probably as long as they’ve kept fish in aquaria even though it may not have been standard practice. As you point out, it can get messy when replantings are needed. A good, but fine, layer of mulm (fish waste) has always been known to be one of the best and most complete sources of plant nutrients since the hobby started — this is really nothing new, but there needs to be a proper balance to allow the fish to prosper as well. I’m well aware of Diane’s book and her “method,” but see nothing new in it.
BTW, while as it seems, 80 tanks will keep you busy, many of us have 100 or 150. I have more than 80 tanks myself, although I’ll admit most of them are not planted (or sparsely planted) since fish breeding is my main priority. While I can’t agree with your water changing regimen (or lack of it), for differing priorities, I certainly support the notion that plants can greatly filter and purify the water.
As for the plants in the hobby at the time of the 3 Watt rule, except for the more exotic reddish varieties, I’m sure there were a lot more different species of plants in the hobby then, than you would suspect. There were at least as many different plant Genera represented, if not having all of the newer Species introductions of them all, with many having the similar requirements as their newer “cousins.” Growing hugh Echino’s 50 or more years ago, with the same methods I’ve described, was one of my main enjoyments also, as I see its been one of yours. Speaking of hugh Echino’s, I remember once seeing one Echino that all but filled a 100 gallon tank (except for the extreme ends of this tank), in a now-defunct store in New York City called Aquarium Stock Company. Up until that time, I never thought they could grow so large; I’m sure it had to be a wild specimen that was brought in. It was of the species once known as intermedius.
Since you at least use an enriched substrate for your plants at least some of the time, you might want to try a mixture of 60% clay, 30% top soil and 10% sand. This simple formula will work work wonders for most any variety of aquatic plants. There’s just enough sand to looosen up the clay and the top soil is loaded with nutrients, yet still held together by the clay. I used to use this commercially in water gardening until I retired; its an old formula used by William Tricker when he first started his water lily business in the 1920’s, and the same one I used when I later managed that business. Ray
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
