Well, after reading several different methods of creating a self sustaining environment in a tank I think I've got a plan for mine. Here goes:
Since this will be trial and error I've decided to do it in a small (10g) tank just so it's easier to remove everything and start again should something go wrong. So here's my 'ingredients' list:
10 Gallon Tank
Soil (mix of pond soil from a pond in my area, small amount of clay, and OC Potting Soil)
Bucket
Sand
Plants (duh)
Spray Bottle
Glass top
Lighting (of course)
Heater (possibly...may not need it)
Powerhead (this is mainly to accommodate a freshwater clam if I choose to get one)
Water (well, duh...) from one of my established tanks
Bunch of black worms and MTS
So, here's what I'm basically going to do. I'm going to collect some clay soil (which I know we have plenty here) and pond soil and put it in a bucket after breaking it up and pulling out rocks and such. Mix all of that into my bucket with the OC potting soil. Fill the bucket with water just to the surface of the soil, stir, and then remove any plant matter, etc. that floats to the top. Let dry, then do it all over again. I'll do this several times, letting the soil dry out completely before doing it again.
Once the soil mix has dried out again I'll put a 2-3 in layer into the tank and then slowly add water from my established tank (the reason for using 'old' water is to add some 'food' for the plants) to just cover the soil surface.
Now that the soil mix is in I'll add my black worms. These will be there to do three things: eat anything in the soil that I don't want in there, like food particles and such that manage to get in there, stir the soil to keep it from developing pockets of bad bacteria, and to feed anything that manages to catch one on the surface
After the black worms have all borrowed I'll add an inch of sand, again adding water just the cover the sand. Now I plant anything that I don't plan on attaching to wood/rocks, or to use as floating plants, as well as add any decor I don't plan on attaching other plants to (they will be added later). I'll spray the edges of the tank with dechlorinated water and place the glass lid on and the lights.
I'll let this sit like this for probably a week or two (depending on how the plants are rooting), continuing to spray the inside of the tank to keep it nice and humid.
Once the roots have grown decently and everything looks nice and healthy I'll start adding a small amount of water each day so as to slowly acclimate the plants to the CO2 deprived submerged state. This is in the hopes I'll keep from stressing them too badly. Once the tank is full I'll add the rest of my plants/decor. At this point I'll let it sit for another week just to watch everything closely, testing the water everyday.
Once the parameters look good and everything seems to be staying consistent I'll add 1 shrimp. I will only feed a tiny tiny bit every other day and continue to test the water. If everything still looks consistent for a week I'll add about 4-5 more shrimp, feed a little bit more, and watch for another week.
If everything continues to look good for that week I'll begin to gradually add more shrimp and up the food (GRADUALLY!) until I feel that it is fully stocked.
I won't be running a filter, using any fertilizers, or doing weekly water changes. All I'll have to do is prune the plants, feed everyone, and top off the water (except for the rare water changes).
Since it will be heavily planted, the plants will be able to take care of the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. And since the tank will be heavily stocked the livestock will be able to feed the plants. I'll just have to very closely monitor how much the plants need from the livestock, what the can take from the water, and what they can add. Same goes for the livestock.
Once I can get this set up I'll post here how everything is going, including daily param readings and probably pictures to show the 'step by step'. Let me know what you think of this!
Since this will be trial and error I've decided to do it in a small (10g) tank just so it's easier to remove everything and start again should something go wrong. So here's my 'ingredients' list:
10 Gallon Tank
Soil (mix of pond soil from a pond in my area, small amount of clay, and OC Potting Soil)
Bucket
Sand
Plants (duh)
Spray Bottle
Glass top
Lighting (of course)
Heater (possibly...may not need it)
Powerhead (this is mainly to accommodate a freshwater clam if I choose to get one)
Water (well, duh...) from one of my established tanks
Bunch of black worms and MTS
So, here's what I'm basically going to do. I'm going to collect some clay soil (which I know we have plenty here) and pond soil and put it in a bucket after breaking it up and pulling out rocks and such. Mix all of that into my bucket with the OC potting soil. Fill the bucket with water just to the surface of the soil, stir, and then remove any plant matter, etc. that floats to the top. Let dry, then do it all over again. I'll do this several times, letting the soil dry out completely before doing it again.
Once the soil mix has dried out again I'll put a 2-3 in layer into the tank and then slowly add water from my established tank (the reason for using 'old' water is to add some 'food' for the plants) to just cover the soil surface.
Now that the soil mix is in I'll add my black worms. These will be there to do three things: eat anything in the soil that I don't want in there, like food particles and such that manage to get in there, stir the soil to keep it from developing pockets of bad bacteria, and to feed anything that manages to catch one on the surface
After the black worms have all borrowed I'll add an inch of sand, again adding water just the cover the sand. Now I plant anything that I don't plan on attaching to wood/rocks, or to use as floating plants, as well as add any decor I don't plan on attaching other plants to (they will be added later). I'll spray the edges of the tank with dechlorinated water and place the glass lid on and the lights.
I'll let this sit like this for probably a week or two (depending on how the plants are rooting), continuing to spray the inside of the tank to keep it nice and humid.
Once the roots have grown decently and everything looks nice and healthy I'll start adding a small amount of water each day so as to slowly acclimate the plants to the CO2 deprived submerged state. This is in the hopes I'll keep from stressing them too badly. Once the tank is full I'll add the rest of my plants/decor. At this point I'll let it sit for another week just to watch everything closely, testing the water everyday.
Once the parameters look good and everything seems to be staying consistent I'll add 1 shrimp. I will only feed a tiny tiny bit every other day and continue to test the water. If everything still looks consistent for a week I'll add about 4-5 more shrimp, feed a little bit more, and watch for another week.
If everything continues to look good for that week I'll begin to gradually add more shrimp and up the food (GRADUALLY!) until I feel that it is fully stocked.
I won't be running a filter, using any fertilizers, or doing weekly water changes. All I'll have to do is prune the plants, feed everyone, and top off the water (except for the rare water changes).
Since it will be heavily planted, the plants will be able to take care of the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. And since the tank will be heavily stocked the livestock will be able to feed the plants. I'll just have to very closely monitor how much the plants need from the livestock, what the can take from the water, and what they can add. Same goes for the livestock.
Once I can get this set up I'll post here how everything is going, including daily param readings and probably pictures to show the 'step by step'. Let me know what you think of this!