[Prev][Next][Index]
Re: To vermiculite, or not?
>
> From: Davin Milun <milun at cs_Buffalo.EDU>
> Date: Mon, 4 Sep 1995 02:56:39 -0400
> Subject: To vermiculite, or not?
>
> Hi all.
>
> I've been mostly lurking here, since right near the creation of the list.
> I posted a couple of months back, announcing that I was about to set up
> a plant-centered, CO2-injected 55gallon, and asked for some input. This
> would be my first real "plant tank". Well, that tank is still not set up -
> I've been busy with other stuff. But now, I want/need to get it set up
> soon.
>
> Anyway, I'm deciding what to do for substrate. I've been following all this
> vermiculite discussion, and my question essentially boils down to this:
> Of the following list of substrates, which is the "safest", and which is
> likely to produce the "best" results:
> 1) All gravel
> 2) A Kelly-Pushak vermiculite/humus/gravel mix at the bottom,
> with plain gravel on top
> 3) A mix of just gravel/vermiculite at the bottom, and plain gravel
> on top.
>
> While I realize that these have become somewhat religious issues on this
> list, what I need is basic advice. I would like my tank to be "successful",
> meaning that it has good plant growth for at least a couple of years. And
> while I'd like to be able to be another useful data-point in
> net.plant.research, I'd *much* rather be a success data-point than a failure
> one.
>
> So, which should I do?
>
> Davin.
>
Davin,
As some others have said recently, the Dupla folks have done a lot of
research on what works. I suggest you get yourself a copy of The Optimum
Aquarium, subtitle: The sure way to success. Guide for the installation
and care of the Fresh Water Aquarium.
Joanne.