Journal Mud Substrate Aquarium - No Cap - Journal

[Nat]

Hello,

This is my first post here.
This is my 25cm aquarium, you've probably seen it before if you’re on UKAPS, I wanted to try using mud I dug up from the garden without capping. The reason I dislike capping is that I hate it when the substrates mix together and create a mess.

The substrate was set up up on 7/7/26. It took me days to figure out what I wanted to plant, but on 8/7/26 I ended up planting Micranthemum sp (probably M. glomeratum.) using the dry start method, because I already have it cultivated as emersed plant.

7/7/26

 

[Nat]

8/7/26

 

[Nat]

18/7/26: Not what I expected, I thought it would carpet better. But I ended up flooding it.

 

[Nat]

22/7/26: Water is clear now, plants are pearling.

 

[Nat]

25/7/26: I did a 50% water change, then added a bit of fertiliser. Light on for about 7-8 hours. Micranthemum glomeratum is growing well.

 

[Kwyet]

What are your plans for this tank? Other plants? Fish? Shrimp? Just curious.

 

[Nat]

What are your plans for this tank? Other plants? Fish? Shrimp? Just curious.

I don’t plan to keep fish in here, this was just an experiment on using uncapped dirt. The uncapped dirt was inspired by Asian biotope groups, patio ponds, and real wetlands and brackish estuaries made out of mud. As of today, the tank is starting to have slight algae (green algae or maybe diatom?) growing on the glass.

I might change my plants in this tank, however, seeing that Micranthemum glomeratum doesn’t carpet like I wanted it to.

 

[CincyScaper]

Look into H.tripartita if you want a loose carpet that will also grow taller and best to keep it by itself.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

The reason I dislike capping is that I hate it when the substrates mix together and create a mess.

A reasonable complaint, but there’s a solution. You can use a soil retainer between the soil and your cap. It allows the roots to reach the soil, but won’t leave dirt particles when pulling plants or after settling over time. I’ve done this with mesh material, and most recently using media bags. But this method is to make it display worthy, if your just running an experiment then it works just as well.

 

[Nat]

A reasonable complaint, but there’s a solution. You can use a soil retainer between the soil and your cap. It allows the roots to reach the soil, but won’t leave dirt particles when pulling plants or after settling over time. I’ve done this with mesh material, and most recently using media bags. But this method is to make it display worthy, if your just running an experiment then it works just as well.

Personally, I don’t think particle suspension is the problem if I don’t disturb it at all (though it normally takes about a day to settle after trimming and replanting). However, the limestone stain on the glass is a recurring problem, and I can’t find a way to make glasses clear of it.

 

[Nat]

8/8/26

 

[snowballs99]

I have seen a lot of these tanks actually!
I only ever see it with pearl weed tho.

I assume crypts and would do pretty well here too?

What happens if you add a slightly pickier plant in?

 

[Nat]

What happens if you add a slightly pickier plant in?

I’m not sure, too scared to try it lol.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I think they stopped calling people witches centuries ago for growing plants in mud, you’ll be okay to try other plants

 

[Nat]

I think they stopped calling people witches centuries ago for growing plants in mud, you’ll be okay to try other plants

Fear of failure maybe.

 

[JayP]

Fear of failure maybe.

We would have never put humans on the moon if we feared failure. Failure may be the best teacher there is.

 

[Nat]

We would have never put humans on the moon if we feared failure. Failure may be the best teacher there is.

Do you think Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata “Pantanal” will work considering water is not that deep?

 

[JayP]

Do you think Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata “Pantanal” will work considering water is not that deep?

I'm far from an expert on such questions and bow to those here who are . Like many plants though, The 2HR Aquarist has some good info.

How to grow Ludwigia 'Pantanal'