Has anyone had longterm success with this stuff. I have heard that it is too light? Does it give the same nutrients as florite? I am debating on which way to go.....I might buy some tonight at lowes or walmart
OK what is the deal with schulz aquatic soil
- Thread starter lousybreed
- Start date
I've had it in 2 different tanks for over a year now. In one tank, it's underneath sand, so the weight isn't an issue. The plants seem to be doing well--primarily crypts in this tank, and they are spreading all over the tank. In the 55, it's the only substrate in the tank. It flies up when the bottom dwellers are really active (there's a large chocolate, 3 whiptails, and a weather loach in there, along with a few smaller bottom dwellers), and is a PITA to clean--I can't use a regular substrate vac, but rather have to use just a chunk of tubing and skim over the surface, just like cleaning sand. But, unlike sand, because it is so easily disturbed, it traps more waste than sand. The tank is doing okay--the plants are mostly different types of crypts and swords, the nitrates are under control, but I'd prefer something more easily cleaned with the big waste producers that are in there.
I've had it in a planted tank for over 4 years. It has been more then adequate. It is light, but this can be overcome with a mixture of regular gravel. I've always just pinched the hose on the gravel vac when cleaning, this reduces the suction and makes clean up easy.
I found mine 2 years ago at orchard supply hardware. Don't know if that's local to your area. Just fyi, be sure to rinse it real well or it will cloud your tank. Also use a strainer so it doesn't rub together to make more dust. Yes, must top off/mix with gravel or else it is impossible to plant anything.
The stuff that I got was from, dare I say, Walmart 
They had it in their garden stuff in their greenhouse. I have yet to use it, as the stand and hood is still being built, but the only inhabitants in my tank are going to be shrimp. So, as far as fish stirring it up, that point is moot to me!
They had it in their garden stuff in their greenhouse. I have yet to use it, as the stand and hood is still being built, but the only inhabitants in my tank are going to be shrimp. So, as far as fish stirring it up, that point is moot to me!
i've had it for a couple months, i agree with the above posters. It's light enough that it gets sucked up your gravel vac like sand, it's kind of annoying (though not impossible) to plant things in it, and if you dont wash it it will make clouds of crap come up whenever it's disturbed, not to mention how it takes like a day to de-cloud initially. however my humble plants are doing well in it so far, much better than when they were in regular gravel. I also like the color a lot, it's kind of a reddish tan. I might consider mixing it with sand at a later date to make it easier to plant stuff in, and i'll have to try the trick with pinching the hose to clean it like someone else mentioned. i found mine at home depot for 6 dollars for 15 pounds in the indoor plant department.
Well, I got 30lbs and it looks like I will only need 10-20lbs more. I am going to add 10 or 20lbs of regular gravel to weight things down. I will be looking at about 4" of gravel.....