I think it would be fair to point out as well, that Diana also recognizes
that the potential for those minerals in the soil substrates has a lifetime
much shorter than the other materials (the big substrate change and recycle
in 2 years). This is why I chose to go with sand and the Flourite and add
nutrients as desired, as opposed to starting off with a surplus of nutrition
that dwindles away. And also skip on the big nasty cycle process. This was
the only variation I've made yet tho... I love the rest of it :)
----- Original Message ----- ,
>
> I would think that a layer of potting clay would wind up going anaerobic
> at some point. I don't think that exotic
> materials are necessary for planted tanks. Diana Walstad states that
> there is sufficient Fe and other micro
> nutrients in soils that exotic materials such as Laterite, flourite,
> potting clays etc are unnecessary. You
> should be able to use the soil in your back yard! Or your neighbor's :-)
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org