Miracle Gro Organic Potting Mix Alternative?

[bubbaboy]

I want to start a dirted aquarium and all the rave about Miracle Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix have got me stoked.
However, no local stores have it nearby.
I'm wondering if there are any alternatives to this dirt that is still cheap as well.

 

[Rivercats]

Any Organic Potting Soil will work. I have been using Just Natural Organic Potting Soil sold by Lowes for years in both my tanks and pond plants. It does leach a lot of tannins but it works great. If you use it in a small tank then you will want to pick out any really large chunks.

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/742786/742786960030lg.jpg

 

[bubbaboy]

Any Organic Potting Soil will work. I have been using Just Natural Organic Potting Soil sold by Lowes for years in both my tanks and pond plants. It does leach a lot of tannins but it works great. If you use it in a small tank then you will want to pick out any really large chunks.

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/742786/742786960030lg.jpg

Leechins will be gone after a week or so right?

 

[Rivercats]

What I do is put in the OPS, moisten it well, compress it well with your hand, then gently add your cap substrate. Fill the tank and turn the filter on. Then for 7 days I empty the tank water every day (even in my 220 when I set it up dirted), on the 8th day empty 50% plant the tank heavily, then refill. Use carbon and or Purgen in filter for a month or so to keep any light tannins under control. If you plant at least 80% of the substrate with a lot of fast growing stem plants your tank will cycle quite fast.

 

[GodFan]

I used organic garden soil. Hope that wasnt bad but I can tell you my plants like it