Diy Substrate

[ausername]

Hey Looking for some thoughts on a diy substrate. It would consist of yard clay cleaned of course, vermiculite and peat all mixed up purdy and a medium gravel on top.. possibly with a fine gravel over that.

Good idea.. bad idea... ive googled it an nobody i saw was using clay from their yard.

[djlen]

Why?

Len

[ausername]

why not, i cant get flourite or any fancy stuff around here.

[Marinemom]

I would be worried about chemicals that may or may not be in the clay from the yard. Sometimes these chemicals such as pesticides will leech out into your aquarium and cause serious problems in your tank.

Marinemom

[Squawkbert]

I used 50# #20 quartz pool filter sand and a pinch of colored gravel (wife factor) in my 46g. $10.

[epicfish]

I've seen it done...but even if you need a small handful of clay, you're going to need to buy the whole tub of it.

In the end, it's almost as expensive as getting some Eco-Complete or Flourite. Isn't there a Big Als in Canada somewhere? www.thatpetplace.com might be another alternative.

[djlen]

Check at your local garden shops or at your farm suppliers for a product called Turface. Turface is the stuff that they put down on baseball infields to dry them up after a rainfall.
Or in garden shops for a product called Schultz's Aquatic Soil. If either of them don't have those products ask if they can order them for you.
Both Turface and Schultz's are virtually the same product (come from the same manufacturer) and a very similar product to Flourish. A bit lighter, but very nice substitutes. I use Turface in both of my 55's an you will be very happy with the results if you use them.
Mixing that other stuff up is probably not necessary if you can find the above products locally. BTW, it's very inexpensive. I bought a 50 lb. bag of Turface for less than $40.

Len

[Mgamer20o0]

i would go with that djlen said or just use reg gravel. i have had great growth using gravel bought from home depot.

[Philip C]

I've been using clay for more than 10 years with no ill effects.
Here is how I do it, go and buy some of the cheapest cat litter you can find, it sould say 100% clay, make sure to get uncented. I mixed it with some compost and then put sand blasting sand on top. Cost under 10 bucks and my plants grow like weeds.
Philip

[TrashmanTodd]

"I mixed it with some compost " :eek:

I've never heard of that one before!

Trashman

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Look up El Natural method on google. That's kind of what you're talking about.

[fresh_newby]

be prepared....kitty litter is so light, it is a pain to transplant in, and it is a pain in the butt if you ever decide to change it and clear out your tank. IMO substrate is not the best place to DIY... though there are many options for substrate, with the internet, you can pretty much find everything you need and have it delivered.