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beaslbob · 10-23-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selvan777

Questions:

Isn't deep cleaning the gravel while changing some water pretty critical?

no. I have never deep cleaned the gravel. I do sometimes siphon off the top crud. But never disturb the substrate.

Quote:

To me it's like defeating the purpose of not using an underground gravel filter if you don't.

I don't understand how to maintain a base or peat moss or potting soil because it seems to me that once I shove the tip of the tube down into the upper grave it's going to disturb the stuff and just make a mess every time.

that is a good reason to not deep clean the gravel. I just let the peat set at the bottom "trapped" in the sand on top.

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Also, isn't one of the reason for using peat moss or soil to feed the plants?

could be. But I have had thriving plants in tank for years with just sand. Peat IMHO is to maintain the water hardness. It also IME allows neon tetras to thrive

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If that's the case, won't I need to replenish the nutrients from time to time by completely replacing it?

Yep. but time to time can be a very long time. I have tank which have been setup with peat which are still dong fine with constant kh and gh values over 2-3 years of running

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I'm sorry but I'm new to having live plants and am just trying to learn so as to make the best desision I can.

Thanks

Understand. When I first setup a planted tank I was "nervious" but that stupid 10g tank was still going strong 7 years later with descendents from the original cycle fish.

I think once you set it up and see the results you will be amazed.

my .02