Can i use garden soil as an undergravel plant fertilizer in my aquarium??

Master3z

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Nov 18, 2010
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Just wondering if i put soil under gravel may help plants to grow in aquarium. Is this possible to do? Have you ever done it or know if we can do it?
 
It can help. You'll probably want to make mud and freeze that. Then you can quickly (it melts fast) insert the mud icicles or mud ice cubes under the gravel.
Root tabs as fertilizer are less messy.
 
I know this is the fad of the moment due to the popularity of the "Walstad Method".If done right and with a little experience under your belt,it can have good results.However,it can be a messy,frustrating,and pull your hair out ordeal as well.I did a 10g tank this way as a side project.Though I have twenty-plus years of experience with planted tanks,it was more trouble than it was worth.But,thats just my opinion.Good luck...
 
I love this method. I have a 29g and a 55g setup this way. I didn't have any trouble. Simply set it up, did one water change each the following week. Now I have lush jungles of plants. Fish breed really well in them. No water changes needed. I do one every few months just cause I'm still apprehensive about the whole process.
 
I love this method. I have a 29g and a 55g setup this way. I didn't have any trouble. Simply set it up, did one water change each the following week. Now I have lush jungles of plants. Fish breed really well in them. No water changes needed. I do one every few months just cause I'm still apprehensive about the whole process.

no water changes needed? Out of curiosity, what about this process makes it so that no water changes are needed?
 
I'll state this with confidence:I don't care what any product,article,book,and person says,You will have to do water changes at some point.Unless someone has miraculously found some media,product,or voodoo that will remove all the pollutants,namely nitrate amongst others that are taken out by routine water changes,they are essential to a healthy tank environment.Thats my stand and opinion so hope it helps.Good luck...
 
I think Cory was saying that his plants ate doing so well (using up nutrients from fish waste), that he dosnt need to change the water as frequently. Although I agree, you should still do at least a partial water change weekly..
 
I'm thinking of experimenting with garden soil as well, but don't have a courage doing it right now.

And I have a question about water change.
I have 10 gallon planted tank with regular gravel, liquid fertilizer and tabs.
The first 6 month my tank started i did 50% water change every 2 weeks, my nitrate always around 5ppm and the plants are doing OK (growing slow and have some deficiency).
And now I'm doing a experiment by not to change my water and monitoring my nitrate every week, it's been 3 month since my latest water change, and my nitrate stays at around 10ppm, and my plant doing great (growing faster and less deficiency).
I'm kind of newbie for planted tank, does it mean, if the nitrate stay under control, do i need a water change?
 
while plants may use up the nitrates that are produced by the end result of the biological bacteria cycle, they do not use up the increasing TDS (total dissolved solids), DOC (dissolved organic compounds), and such. those levels still need to be maintained via water changes.
 
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