Aquascape Tutorial: Epic Dirted Tank Growth, First Trim, No Water Change, No CO2, No Filter | 2024

60 days ago I made this dirted ecosystem aquarium. The plants grew a lot and fish are healthy. I collected organic soil from my own garden. I sifted the soil to separate it from unwanted substances. This is exactly what I want. I added the soil to the aquarium and covered it with deep river sand. I created my landscape with the materials I collected from nature to create an environment where fish and plants can live healthily. Starting a dirted tank with more plants is very important for system health. I started with a lot of plants too. After adding dechlorinated tap water, I added floating plants. On the second day, I added nereid snails, the first creatures of the ecosystem. One day later, I cut this giant monstera plant into pieces and hung it on the glass of the aquarium. The roots of the plant will feed on the water and filter a large part of our system. I wanted to speed up the cycle of the ecosystem by adding shrimps on day seven. These hard-working creatures wander all over the aquarium and feed on algae. They reproduce quickly without much effort and their offsprings meet some of the protein needs of the fish. When we reached the 17th day, I thought it was time to add fish and added school fish to the system. Also, I added a few species from the algae eaters group. On day 30, everything looked great. The fish were healthy and the plants were growing rapidly. I still haven't done any water changes or maintenance. Today is the 60th day. The plants have grown incredibly. This was above my expectation. Monstera lives his life in a healthy way. The roots of the plant are growing, but it has not produced new leaves. Especially the glass on the right side of the aquarium is a bit too dirty. The algae eaters were not enough for this glass and started to disturb me visually. I cleaned this glass using a toothbrush. I also cleaned the front glass of the aquarium. This cleaning gave me a clearer view. During this two-month period, some plants grew faster than others. This is a completely normal situation. Some plants grow fast, some grow slowly. It's time for the first trimming. The locations of some plants do not make me visually happy. The reason for this is the presence of fast-growing plants next to them. I want to relocate them, but how will this be possible in a dirted tank? If we uproot the plant, this will move the base too much and the soil below will mix with the water. Our system collapses. Instead of uprooting plants to change the location of dirty tank plants, it would be healthier to trim the plants, plant them in new places and wait for them to take root. Trimming the plants helps to remove any dead or decaying parts, which can inhibit the growth of healthy new shoots. By removing these parts, you encourage the plants to grow more vigorously. Some aquatic plants have a tendency to grow rapidly and can quickly take over the aquarium if not trimmed regularly. Trimming helps to control the growth and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies and poor water circulation. Regular trimming helps to maintain a neat and visually appealing appearance of the aquarium. It allows you to shape the plants and create a well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing aquascape. Overgrown plants can create dense areas where debris and waste can accumulate, leading to poor water quality. Trimming the plants reduces the risk of stagnant areas and improves water circulation, which helps to maintain optimal water quality for the fish and other inhabitants. However, it is important to note that not all plants require trimming, and the frequency of trimming will depend on the specific plant species and their growth rate. It is recommended to research the specific care requirements of the plants in your aquarium and trim them accordingly, to ensure their health and the overall balance of the aquarium ecosystem. After trimming and placing the plants in their new locations, I got a fresh look. The plants will adapt to their new location, take root and begin to grow again. Background plants will fill the gaps and create a green infinity. After a certain time, I will trim the plants again and fill the remaining gaps. This way I will get better water quality. Algae started to form on Java moss. Shrimps and other creatures feed in this area. These algae on mosses formed in places where the light was strong. To stop or slow down algae growth, I need to move the light source a little further away from the aquarium. I cut these small pieces of wood and painted them with black acrylic paint to match the look of the aquarium. After a few hours, the paint dried and I placed these pieces in place. I think this will work. Since the light moves away from the aquarium, it will illuminate more areas, and I think it will be beneficial to the parts of the plants that do not see light. I remove this algae from the moss as much as possible with the help of a toothbrush. This is a temporary solution. As another temporary solution, I can add more algae eaters to the aquarium. Some people solve the problem by using chemicals. But this is also a temporary solution. To control algae in the aquarium, we need to find the real source of the problem. Light and water quality are the real source of the problem. By the way, as long as algae is kept under control, it is not harmful, on the contrary, it has benefits. Of course, no one wants an aquarium full of algae. Too much of anything is harmful. In this next minute, you will watch the current state of my dirted tank. Thank you for following me on this journey.