Jamie Drilling wrote:
I'm making planters out of cross-stich sheets and nylon thread, then
when I have the right shape using aquarium silicone to cover them in
either aquarium gravel or river rocks (some of each.)

The substrate in the planters is going to be laterite mixed with
vermiculite, with pond fertilizer tablets (if I can find them) and each
planter will be 3-4" deep. 160 watts over a 55 gallon aquarium. I'm
planning on a few massive Amazon Swords and some other hardy plants.

Does this setup sound feasible? Any advice would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Jamie

-cross-posting on req.aquaria.freshwater.plants

Ditch the vermiculite. It will float and make a tremendous mess. Use
Flourish or Eco Complete instead of laterite, or mix the laterite with
gravel or sand. Fertilizer tabs need to be in some clay so that they
don't leach too much nitrate and phosphate into the water column.

You're going to need a lot of plants to outcompete algae under 160 watts
of light. Are you sure you don't just want to put down 3 or 4" of
substrate and forget the planters?

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com