Can't find a thread for soil substrate

crimsonmoon

crimsonmoon

Gotta love those cories...
Aug 31, 2008
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and ive been searching for one for ever....i remember reading one about putting some sort of soil in a planted tank instead of buying expensive gravel and stuff, but i can't for the life of me find it. if anybody could find the link i would definitely appreciate it! Or if you just wanna give me the lowdown on it...? thanks!
 
Its nothing complicated, just use some cheap no-frill potting soil and cap it with gravel or sand to prevent a mess. And after that, you have to give the potting soil a few weeks to settle down after being emersed. ie. Ammonia spikes and pH shifts.

Here's also a link to a forum all about the natural method (potting soil method): http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/el-natural/
 
thanks riiz!
 
ok wait i have a couple more questions,
**do you have to sift the soil through a screen before putting it in? if so, do you use the what doesn't go through the screen, or use what falls through the screen?
**do you have to take the water out and then put in the soil, or can you put it in with water still in the tank?
**is it safe to keep fish in the tank while it is adjusting to the new substrate?
sorry for what are probably stupid questions, im just trying to branch out a bit in the hobby...:D
 
crimsonmoon said:
ok wait i have a couple more questions,
**do you have to sift the soil through a screen before putting it in? if so, do you use the what doesn't go through the screen, or use what falls through the screen?
**do you have to take the water out and then put in the soil, or can you put it in with water still in the tank?
**is it safe to keep fish in the tank while it is adjusting to the new substrate?
sorry for what are probably stupid questions, im just trying to branch out a bit in the hobby...:D
Click to expand...

1. No dont sift, you want the organics in it.

2. The tank needs to be empty, it would make a mess.

3. I wouldnt keep fish in it for the first month, due to ammonia spikes. The organics in the soil basically help start the cycle for you.
 
thanks guys
thanks mg, i totally didn't even think to check stickies lol

ok one last question and then im done, promise :D
if i decide that i don't want to use a nutrient rich substrate and go with just normal sand, can i use seachem plant tabs in sand? i read about them and it only mentioned gravel, not sand, so im assuming it must be used with gravel only, but im kinda hoping that you can use it with sand...?
 
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