19 replies to this topic

[Michael the fish fanatic]

hi guys i wanted to know what types of potting soil are good for a planted tank with fish, also give me you opinion on using it

[dori]

most people use organic potting mix. i mineralise it before i put it in my tank, initially there will be algae blooms but if u plant heavy then it should work out

[Michael the fish fanatic]

what brand do you use and do you use it. and what do you mean mineralise

[Bombshocked]

lol google

[Just Drive]

what brand do you use and do you use it.

as long as there is no added fertilizer any brand should be good. Here's a link for mineralization

 http://www.aquaticpl...ron-talbot.html

Edited by Just Drive, 24 October 2013 - 04:46 PM.

[Michael the fish fanatic]

thanks a lot     

BTW can i use laterite with the soil 

[Graeme]

Michael,

If you want to use potting mix, buy and read the book by Diana Walstad " Ecology of the Planted Aquarium"

 

Or buy a ready to use substrate like eco complete, ADA etc

 

Graeme

[MrLeifBeaver]

Hello Michael,

 

There is a guy in America that does 'dirt' planted tanks. They look amazing considering he does not use C02.

Ignore the shouting at you at the start of his vids he has really good info on what dirt he uses and how to get it ready.

 

He uses a potting mix called Miracle Grow which has no phosphates in it, I think he mixes it with some clay based mix too.

 

Link is here http://www.youtube.c...e6v7J4Yb6qpbiLw

 

This has really helped me decide what to do when I do my big tank (I really didn't want to do C02).

[Michael the fish fanatic]

yup i have been subscribed to his Chanel for a while now 

[dank]

All of the soils I've found in Bunnings, even the Miracle Gro, have the water saving crystals in them - how fish safe is that?

 

I guess in Perth we are in the middle of an eternal drought and it must be mandatory for water saving stuff to be added, but I wouldn't mind hearing from someone in Perth with experience dirting a tank

[Brett]

Well, having "dirted" my tanks for the last 20 years, I am happy to tell you that all the potting soils are useless.

Instead of thinking dirt, think clay, and as you would be aware there are no potting soils based on clay sold in Perth (when I last looked)

Most of Perth is built on the Swan Coastal Plain, where the soil is too sandy.

Look for clay based soil, either on the flood plains or the hills. Avoid soil that might be contaminated with chemicals, such as around industrial areas or home gardens.

 

Cheers

Brett

[MrLeifBeaver]

Yes, I think he uses Miracle Grow but he mixes it with 50% clay. I would like to research this more I thinks.

[dank]

You go out and dig up your own soil Brett? how does it work for you? As far as clay based soils, I had moderate success with 2toned's propogating sand substrate (its up on aquariumlife) - the propogating sand is supposed to be very rich in clay. Sadly, I never had the "insane" plant growth that others reported with the soil, not until I put in some dino dung (though to be quite honest, I think my *still dying* chain swords are more a result of 20 watts of t8 lighting over a 150 litre tank  )

 

Why do you say to think clay instead of dirt? I was under the impression that while clay is incredibly iron rich and has great CEC, the dirt has excellent results (without even causing algae blooms if you mineralise)

 

 

Ignore the shouting at you at the start of his vids he has really good info on what dirt he uses and how to get it ready.

The shouting is the best bit in Dustin's videos though

Edited by dank, 05 November 2013 - 11:29 PM.

[Michael the fish fanatic]

well first of all the lighting is not going to help at all. also where do you get clay that is great for plants and is fish safe and how much clay would you need for a 70l tank

[Just Drive]

well first of all the lighting is not going to help at all. also where do you get clay that is great for plants and is fish safe and how much clay would you need for a 70l tank

you could buy laterite or dig up some clay, the former would properly work better. I would propose 5-10% clay to soil.

Edited by Just Drive, 06 November 2013 - 10:08 AM.

[Brett]

 

You go out and dig up your own soil Brett?

Yes, and I tend to reuse it over and over again. Originally it came from Gosnells, not far from the Canning river where the soil is quite heavy loam/clay

 

Why do you say to think clay instead of dirt?

Well if you live in Joondalup, then your "dirt" will be almost all sand with a little organic matter. It will not have the nutrient (macro and micro) holding capacity of clay. It would be like mixing your organics with aquarium gravel. The clay tends to hold the nutrients in the substrate and out of the water column and provides a source of micronutrients. I tend to rely on the substrate to provide the micronutrients and then add macros via fertiliser spikes or balls pushed into the substrate. Mineralisation works, its just too time consuming for me and it exhausts quickly. It is really just providing macro nutrients, fertiliser spikes are easier and cheap.

 

you could buy laterite

Laterite is just iron rich clay, but all clays have plenty of iron ... just add some clay. I think 10% is a reasonable amount. I used to use much higher concentrations but I don't think that is necessary. Less is more sometimes

 

Cheers

 Brett

[Just Drive]

Isn't the clay around Perth just bauxite?

[dank]

Thank you for the lesson in substrate Brett, should come in handy when I set up my newly acquired 4x18x18

[Michael the fish fanatic]

Which potting soil would be the best for plants ( I will also put laterite) .

[T1gger]

Is it true that rabbit pooh is good?
Is it true that rabbit pooh is good?