Way back in the sixties, when the only plants you could find in pet stores were anacharis, a few common plants, and some bunches of totally terrestrial stuff and before Walstad, specialized substrates, pH testing, and air driven HOBs (they were the latest thing), a little German lady, Mrs. Rothrock, selling fish and plants from the living room of her huge Victorian house told me to put one or two inches of African violet soil down first and cover it with up to three inches of number three gravel . I had a 20-gallon high tank in my little apartment next to a window. The lace plant grew so profusely, I couldn't believe it. It literally filled the whole tank and actually put out aerial leaves as well as flower stalks. Eventually, however, after several years, I had to dismantle the tank. Knowing what I went through with that, I don't ever want to attempt it with anything larger than a 50, let alone a 180. You are brave!
Dang that's tough! My grandpa had tanks back then, and from stories from my mom it was all trail and error for him I wish he was alive now to see how the hobby has grown
@@mooncricket16 Looking back you are correct. I was so glad I had one of those state of the art heaters that had two tubes with little rubber caps, - one for the heating element and one for the thermostat.
Dustin have you ever tried to create anaerobic conditions to create denitrifiying bacteria to reduce nitrates in conjunction with the plants use of the nitrates?
I like the Father Fish deep sand substrate method which also works great for dirted planted tanks. I have four nano tanks with this method and the plants do great.
Love both tanks! And I really enjoyed watching you put that 180 together. You make it look so easy. I have a 29 Seaclear, my first dirted tank filled with Dustins plants. I’m loving it! Thank you for what you do!
In my newest scape, I put Dustin’s Dirt Mix in mesh bags and laid them flat for my 1inch dirt layer, leaving the edges clear for the clean look. Then capped with sand.
Setting up a 180 too! Glass aquarium and im doing eco complete just a little north of you in Ohio. I do not have the balls to do dirt. I have jungle val thicker than my lawn in some eco complete! Trying to decide if i want to use my old Malaysian drift wood or i think i want to find some thinner manzanita now. Thanks for showing me some sweet ideas!
I haven’t watched your channel in a while but I’m glad I did I think I want to start up a plant to think maybe in the spring I have a 72 Bowe front in my garage that needs fixing but I know I can’t put it upstairs too heavy but I do want to start a plan to take thanks for the information
the poolfiltersand you use seems very fine. In europe we buy filtersand 0 - 2 mm caliber (or "grain size" as we say) and is often more towards the 2 mm fraction. I'm surprised the poolfiltersand you use is almost 0 - 0,2 mm no ? Tip : mentioning the fractions for the different layers you use above the dirt can be handy.
Wow that is looking super! Thanks Dustin for the tutorial⭐️💯
You bet- thanks for watching this tank build
Way back in the sixties, when the only plants you could find in pet stores were anacharis, a few common plants, and some bunches of totally terrestrial stuff and before Walstad, specialized substrates, pH testing, and air driven HOBs (they were the latest thing), a little German lady, Mrs. Rothrock, selling fish and plants from the living room of her huge Victorian house told me to put one or two inches of African violet soil down first and cover it with up to three inches of number three gravel . I had a 20-gallon high tank in my little apartment next to a window. The lace plant grew so profusely, I couldn't believe it. It literally filled the whole tank and actually put out aerial leaves as well as flower stalks. Eventually, however, after several years, I had to dismantle the tank. Knowing what I went through with that, I don't ever want to attempt it with anything larger than a 50, let alone a 180. You are brave!
I would love to have met and seen Mrs Rothrock…sounds awesome
Dang that's tough! My grandpa had tanks back then, and from stories from my mom it was all trail and error for him I wish he was alive now to see how the hobby has grown
@@mooncricket16 Looking back you are correct. I was so glad I had one of those state of the art heaters that had two tubes with little rubber caps, - one for the heating element and one for the thermostat.
Dustin have you ever tried to create anaerobic conditions to create denitrifiying bacteria to reduce nitrates in conjunction with the plants use of the nitrates?
Awesome job Dustin 👍
I like your straight foward aproach, yet I would like to see you do the absolute best you can do :)
I like the Father Fish deep sand substrate method which also works great for dirted planted tanks. I have four nano tanks with this method and the plants do great.
Love both tanks! And I really enjoyed watching you put that 180 together. You make it look so easy. I have a 29 Seaclear, my first dirted tank filled with Dustins plants. I’m loving it! Thank you for what you do!
Is that their break-room? It's an awesome room. That would be a cool place to work, with a boss that appreciates a good scape!
It’s actually one of many conference rooms. When I went by to check on it- it was packed full of people- which made me happy
Been using organic potting soil and sand. Great results. Next tank will use try aquasoil. Seems to be crack for plants.
It’s natural for most of us !!! People wonder 💭, but then they see the finished results !!! Good job 👍 looks fly 🪰
Great job!
In my newest scape, I put Dustin’s Dirt Mix in mesh bags and laid them flat for my 1inch dirt layer, leaving the edges clear for the clean look. Then capped with sand.
love it- thanks for the business too!
What is the tall, green, ripple-leafed plant behind the rotala at 20:16. I ended up with one of these plants and couldn't figure out what it was.
I love the tanks.
Thanks - I thought it was a nice contrast to the cichlids tank next to it
Setting up a 180 too! Glass aquarium and im doing eco complete just a little north of you in Ohio. I do not have the balls to do dirt. I have jungle val thicker than my lawn in some eco complete! Trying to decide if i want to use my old Malaysian drift wood or i think i want to find some thinner manzanita now. Thanks for showing me some sweet ideas!
I haven’t watched your channel in a while but I’m glad I did I think I want to start up a plant to think maybe in the spring I have a 72 Bowe front in my garage that needs fixing but I know I can’t put it upstairs too heavy but I do want to start a plan to take thanks for the information
Tank looks awesome 😎
I have a 180 clear for life acrylic love it, AC fish
My favorite UA-camr is back in the game and on the scene the rest of y'all better watch out
Thanks for the kind words. I gotta bring it to ya on a 180 or two when I can
When you brought out that tub of plants my jaw dropped and wide-open
Very Super Awesome!
I APPRECIATE VERY MACH THAT YOU SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS FOR SUCCEEDING WITH DIRT SUBSTRATE :)
THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)
Love for the siphon is still there is it not? Have a great year
I should have ran all over this place with a siphon! Im sorry Ed!
@@DustinsfishtanksThe opportunity was there, you missed it, no worries ,I ll understand.
135 clear for life. Picked it up uses for $250
the poolfiltersand you use seems very fine. In europe we buy filtersand 0 - 2 mm caliber (or "grain size" as we say) and is often more towards the 2 mm fraction. I'm surprised the poolfiltersand you use is almost 0 - 0,2 mm no ? Tip : mentioning the fractions for the different layers you use above the dirt can be handy.
Love the look of the planted tank. Acrylic not for me. Aquatic substrates are anaerobic by nature. ✌️❤️🍀
nice
Do you use CO2 in your tanks?
👍🏻👍🏻
How about another shamwow commercial my friend?? That shit was funny as hell u look just like him
🐟🐟🐟
Come on, you all talk man. Let's see it, lol!