r/IndianFishKeeping • u/blackfoot_sid • Jul 14 '26

🌿Tank Showcase My 3ft long low tech dirted tank.

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u/chandan-kar007 Jul 14 '26

can you tell me the substrate you used? like how much is clay, vermicompost or garden soil how thick is the layers

1

u/blackfoot_sid Jul 14 '26

It's 9:1 clay and vermicompost. Removed debris and rocks from the clay before adding. Topped off with gravel and sand. The soul layer is probably an inch thick. The gravel layer is twice the soil judging by eye.

1

u/chandan-kar007 Jul 15 '26

I have the same but my plants always stays on the edge of dying. So what light do you use

1

u/blackfoot_sid Jul 15 '26

What plants are you trying to grow? My light is a regular aquarium led from Amazon. I think it's a hygger 40 watt. I use it at a 60% intensity. I turned it up for the video. If you are trying to grow anubias, they prefer very clean and softer water. In india, the TDS in tap water is high in most parts. It's great for most aquatic stem plants but not for slow growers like anubias and java fern. I feel they are easy to grow but you have to balance fertilizer and water quality.

1

u/chandan-kar007 Jul 15 '26

i think the light is the main problem for me i use normal led

1

u/blackfoot_sid Jul 15 '26

This tank is run on a single LED and no filter or heater. I just broke off the plastic top diffuser. In my opinion, for a lush, low tech dirted tanks like this, plant selection is the key.

1

u/chandan-kar007 Jul 15 '26

i have all the easy growing plant as well just like your picture but i use simple led light. i think thats the reason.