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

[asukawashere]

Like just dig up soil from your yard and sift out all the debris? You don't have to clean it or anything?

More or less. You want a high mineral content to the soil, not a large amount of humus (organic soil content), which causes ammonia spikes. Ordinary, straight from your backyard dirt is the best choice, because it tends to lack the high organic content you get in composted soils.

As for the tank being cloudy, if you use soil sparingly and cap it with enough sand/gravel, the tank doesn't cloud at all. I set my 29g endler/cherry shrimp tank up this way, planted it fairly heavily from the start, and the water has always been crystal clear...

As for cleaning the soil.... not sure how you'd go about doing that. I mean, it's dirt If you want to kill off microorganisms, I suppose you could bake it 'til it's all dried out... but the microorganisms are more than likely to be beneficial to the tank and not harmful.

 

[Sawyer]

Ok, thanks. And clay is good? I have lots of clay deposits around my natural pond so I could also add some clay to the mix. I'm thinking about doing the walstad method in my 10g later on.

 

[Buff]

Ok, thanks. And clay is good? I have lots of clay deposits around my natural pond so I could also add some clay to the mix. I'm thinking about doing the walstad method in my 10g later on.

Plain old Hartz pH5 cat litter is nothing but naturally baked clay. Capped with sand, it works well as a base.

 

[Master3z]

Ok.i was researching a bit on mts-mineralized topsoil. I think i am going to do mts.
I have collected soil from a garden, the soil dont have any chemicals added to it.
I have to wash the soil,remove any debris in it and then dry it. This process need to be done 3,4 times.
Then i will add nutrients for the plants in the soil namely potassium sulphate and epsom salt(which is found in pharmacies)., for a source of iron, i have bought JBL florapol, clay can be used instead of that

I have a friend doing that. I think he completed the process yesterday. Just have to see his tank. If everything went ok,i am going for it. Wish me luck.

 

[pacpac2]

Here are three pictures of my 150g. 2" deep of soil with gravel and volcanic rock. Plants are thriving. This tank has been set-up and running for over a year. No additives to the soil. Occasionally I will use root tabs and I do PMDD. Easy maintenance. I don't spend more than an hour a week on it.

 

[shaynablizard]

Great looking setup!

 

[bluemeate]

and what about the gravel vac?

 

[pacpac2]

no gravel vac.

 

[bluemeate]

why cant mulm substitute for dirt?

questions probably worth its own thread