Jungle Scape:; low tech High dreams

[subha]

Hi friends...
After Puja..I still have some bucks left in my pocket.So now want to jump into a remodelling of my old 2 feeter.

Tank specs;
Sub: Laterite topped with 2.5 inch small gravel(2-4 mm)

Light: 2 local LED (7 watt and 9 watt) caps removed

co2: diy sugar yeast type

filter: top filter with capacity of 800 lts/hr.can't change this right now.but after 3 monts I will purchase a HOB.

fert: never used.but thinking about using readymade one

Flora:H.Polysparma,crypts,aponogeton,Xmas moss( not so green but still alive),dwarf lily,E.tenellus( not propagating),rotala(not in good shape)
tried cobomba.it was good at beginning but suddenly melted
fauna: 4 sarpae tetra,2 ramirezi,1 chinese algae eater

At this time I really need ur guidence to set up a tank from beginning.as winter is on its way I am really excited to start this project asap.

first of all, substrate.
I am planning about using vermicompost at the base layer.may I mix it with garden soil or pure ganga mati(fresh soil from the bank of river Ganges).what should be the ratio and depth?
Then may I cover it with regular construction sand to prevent leakage?and as the topmost layer I want to use gravel.is that OK?? plz explain in details.I herd about curing vermi.what's that?
I really want to make a perfect diy substrate which must be easy to maintain in the long run.
any other combos??

next I wanna try out some red plants but they must be easy.also want suggestions about lush green and dense mid and foreground plants.e.g.H.difformis.
please suggest according to my tank specs.

are the lights good enough.I recently installed them.I think my plants love them.

provide me info about cheap ready made ferts.and their price at gallif and kole market.

what should be the scape? I like jungle like growth.I have a few rocks and a small piece of bogwood.so what's ur idea about it.

Thanking u in anticipation..plz help.

[subha]

Plant gurus plz suggest substrate combination.
I know that there is so many threads about diy sub.but the more choices you have,the more confusing it gets.
my concern is
1) can i use vermi at the bottom?how to cure it?should i mix soil with it?
2) what about sand capping?if i use a 2 inch thick layer over it,then will the sand get more compressed(rock solid)???

plz clear my doubts...
sanam da,rahul da,rajan da and others ,plz help here......as i don't want to make any mistake this time
Thanks

[ambor2013@live.com]

Increase light bro... &for fertilizer issu use macro &micro...

[SanamMarik]

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5019
Diy substrates.

[subha]

http://www.kolkata-aquarium.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5019
Diy substrates.

it's a very informative thread indeed.i am a regular follower of that.

but dada, I already have 12kg of gravel (2mm-4mm). they call it chini Dana at galiff.
how much more should I get?

next, u mentioned your combos with mostly sand or sand gravel.won't it get compact over time which might hamper healthy root growth.

should I cure vermi before use? if yes,then what is the procedure.

should I mix soil with vermi and Laterite??
and then mix it with 8 mm gravel.then cap it with 0.5 inch of coarce sand.at the top 1.5-2 inch of gravel.Is it a viable idea to prevent leaching of vermi- laterite- soil mix???
in this way can the compaction of soil be prevented???

Thanks a lot for ur inputs....

[subha]

I am going to buy some Laterite tomorrow from my lfs.will search for coco peat at the local nursery. But if I cannot find it,i shall use Laterite and vermi as my base layer.

Thanks all

[subha]

can anyone suggest me about the cheap but effective filter for planted tanks.
at this moment i m using a top filter.but i know that in this process i am loosing some co2.
so,what is better in ur openion
hang on back or ipf?
i like hob over ipf as it does not occupy any space inside the tank.but what about the surface agitation created by hob.

thanks in advance for ur rply.

[pulsarabhi]

You can minimize the surface agitation by maintaining a water level just at the HOB output level, so as to avoid the waterfall effect.

I am using HOB as a primary filter in 2 of my planted tanks. The best thing about HOB's IME is the ease of maintenance and the extra space for stuffing filter media. However, they don't provide the best circulation in longish tanks, cubes are better. You can use an IPF or a small power head for added circulation.

If you have the budget for it, a canister filter will give you the combined benefits in a single filter.

Hope this helped

[subha]

Thaks for ur rply boss...

i don't have the budget for canisters..
my budget is under 600 for a hob.

but i think i can spend a bit more for for better product..is it available within 1500.what should be the flow rate.

can u plz give a rough idea about the cost of a canister filter. in that case i can search for some chinese product or a second hand one..

thanks again

[pulsarabhi]

Then you can go with the HOB, I am sure you can get one that fits your budget.

How are you planning to diffuse the DIY Co2?