Re: Gas buildup in my substrate

Richard ***ton wrote:

> In article <137c4906nkckk42@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
> Dax MIckelson  <daxm@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>Hello all.  I've had a fish tank for most of my life.  Recently I've
>>decided to create a tank that is mostly plants with some sup****tive
fish.
>>
>>I've created a substrate that is composed of vermiculite and soil (50/50
>>and about 2-3 inches deep) topped by about 1/2 inch of general purpose
>>sand.  My plants are growing well and showing good color and my fish
>>look healthy too.  HOWEVER, my substrate has swelled about 1/2 to 1
>>inch.  If I push on it a ton of gas bubbles come out.  Is this a bad
>>thing?
> 
> It's not particularly bad. People still use vermiculite? That's so 80's
> :-)
> 
> 
> (There's no particular advantage to using vermiculite, it's more
im****tant
> to fertilize properly).
> 
> 
> 
> 

Not vermiculite?  That is all I've read about to use.  I'm new to
aquascaping.  What do you recommend then?