Potting soil?

[kevkev3321]

Would it work if I used potting soil with a layer of gravel over the top?

The potting soil would be used to help the plants with nutrients

Anything I should know before I try it?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Would it work if I used potting soil with a layer of gravel over the top?

The potting soil would be used to help the plants with nutrients

Anything I should know before I try it?

Sure it'll work, just read what's in your potting mix. I'm a day away from using peat moss under a layer of sand.

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[kevkev3321]

Yay!

I was reading up on it and it said that your supposed to let the soil soak in the water for a while and do PWC's because theres alot of phosphorous in the soil and algae blooms rapidly

I'm also going to experiment with 6500k daylight CFL's, 2x 23w on a new 10g

 

[Marconis]

Check out the link in my signature, as well as this thread:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/125g-planted-build-thread-143366.html

We both started dirt tanks at about the same time. The answer is yes, of course it will work. Neither of us have seen an algae bloom and we didn't mineralize or adequately soak the potting mix. One thing you will see, though, is sufficient browning of the water for a few weeks. After daily PWC's, mine is finally clearing up nicely.

Make sure you use a very fine gravel or sand on top to weigh down the soil. If a gap is made in the gravel or sand, you're in for one **** of a clean up. The two of us have yet to see any growth in our tanks that makes us say, "Wow, this is working incredibly!", but I am optimistic and am waiting it out. One thing I've noticed is that as my new Rotala has massive leaf die off, new ones are growing quickly and are a beautiful bright green.

When you do the tank, make sure that you plant very heavily. You're most likely going to see ammonia levels rise due to the soil unless you have some very established filters running on the new tank. The plants will take up ammonia and help your tank reestablish itself. For this purpose, many recommend the addition of temporary floaters such as duckweed that have been shown to adequately take up ammonia from the water.

Keep us updated.

 

[doogle]

make sure soil is organic...

 

[Marconis]

make sure soil is organic...

^^^^. Fertilizers will wreak havoc. MiracleGro Organic Choice is what I and many others use.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Yay!

I was reading up on it and it said that your supposed to let the soil soak in the water for a while and do PWC's because theres alot of phosphorous in the soil and algae blooms rapidly

I'm also going to experiment with 6500k daylight CFL's, 2x 23w on a new 10g

I'm soaking my soil (in a bucket) for one reason, to compact the peat as much as possible. In 36hrs it total volume is more than halved and will add more tomorrow along with additional aqua safe water. I figure the density will be 4 - 5X that comes out of the bale.

Don't know about phosphorous content, but peat is pretty base and unlike some soils, is a natural product processed only to be useful in the market. Content list on it is, 100% peat and that's it.

Your lighting is perfect IMO, for a 10g.

Good luck!

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[Marconis]

Yeah, I do recommend soaking. It just isn't a necessity.

 

[kevkev3321]

Okay thanks

It will be awhile until I get everything set up

I still need to make my light fixtures and build up so cash lol

But I'm looking forward to this

 

[meegosh]

If you don't want to go through the hassle of mineralizing top soil you could try something like EcoComplete, Flourite or Stratum($$$).

 

[Loach23]

I read somewhere to use topsoil not potting soil. If I remember correctly potting soil has fertilizers and topsoil doesn't. And the soil needs to be mineralized. Their is a way if you google it by a guy named Aaron something that gives you a step by step method

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[meegosh]

I think you are talking about the guide on APC by Aaron Talbot.

How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot : Aquatic Plant Central

 

[Loach23]

Yep that the guy. my buddy tried it and his tank is flourishing. But it's alot of work and time consuming to do it. But the end result is worth it. I have a 120 that is sitting in my garage that I'm going to try this method on once it gets hotter out.

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[Marconis]

I read somewhere to use topsoil not potting soil. If I remember correctly potting soil has fertilizers and topsoil doesn't. And the soil needs to be mineralized. Their is a way if you google it by a guy named Aaron something that gives you a step by step method

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You don't HAVE to mineralize the soil, but as you've noticed, it can be very beneficial.

Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix - Scotts Miracle-Gro

This is what a lot of people, including myself, use. It is perfectly safe.

 

[meegosh]

There is a guy on APC or TPT that is selling topsoil that has already been soaked/washed/etc. It sounded pretty reasonable as far as pricing goes but I'm going to give eco complete a try.

 

[Loach23]

How long have you been using the scotts. And isn't that still a little $$$$ on a larger tank. You can get a large bag of topsoil for $2 as the Scott is like $13-16 per small bag. It also says on the bag of a release of slow fertilizers this never affected your tank. Is it because it's organic I guess. And did you add any clay or other nutrients to your soil.

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[mfdrookie516]

Miracle Gro Organic Choice is $7 for a bag big enough for a 125g tank at Lowes. I just tossed in some root tabs in mine.

 

[Marconis]

There is a guy on APC or TPT that is selling topsoil that has already been soaked/washed/etc. It sounded pretty reasonable as far as pricing goes but I'm going to give eco complete a try.

That's really cool, do you have his username? I've been posting on APC.

 

[Marconis]

How long have you been using the scotts. And isn't that still a little $$$$ on a larger tank. You can get a large bag of topsoil for $2 as the Scott is like $13-16 per small bag. It also says on the bag of a release of slow fertilizers this never affected your tank. Is it because it's organic I guess. And did you add any clay or other nutrients to your soil.

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Adding clay is highly recommended. I dose Flourish to compensate for not having a clay lined substrate.

 

[kevkev3321]

I have another question

If I went to the beach and got sand and soaked it and washed it and got all the saltwater off could it be used in a freshwater tank?