Potting soil/Top soil? Quick!

[jessnherfish]

I have a 55 gallon tank i want to replant, is there any way to use store bought soil? I will be shopping at Meijer.

 

[Linariel]

It will probably just make a mess, and potting soil's fertilizers would cause algae problems. I'd stick with a substrate made just for aquariums.

 

[Amber23]

I wouldn't do it.

 

[jessnherfish]

Ok thanx, i just did a little research and I am thinking about using kitty litter.

 

[Linariel]

I wouldn't do that either, especially if you've already got fish in the tank. If something goes wrong, you'd lose all your fish.

 

[Rex Grigg]

There is nothing wrong with plain gravel with some peat moss and laterite under it.

Or you could get some Soilmaster Select. That's a nice inexpensive substrate. 50 lbs for under $20.

 

[rich311k]

Schultz's aquatic soil is a cheaper planted substrate as well. Some Home Depots sell it.

 

[J double R]

There is nothing wrong with plain gravel with some peat moss and laterite under it.

Or you could get some Soilmaster Select. That's a nice inexpensive substrate. 50 lbs for under $20.

I use plain gravel mixed with laterite.. works great!

 

[jessnherfish]

I have I read the posts, and
1)I am not worried about the fish, i have another tank same size cycled for them, my main focus, for right now is growing the plants.

2) Im on a budget for right now so spending more than $50 on the substrate, is out, but I know I its important so i dont wanna skimp on it.

3)I had planned for a long time to use soilmaster select, until a guy for lesco come throught my line at work yesterday, and told me they only carry the red kind. I asked him if i could order it he said only by the pallet.

I just want a nice dark, rich, rich-looking, substrate so I can finish growing my Aqua Jungle

 

[Rex Grigg]

Head over to the substrate forums at www.plantedtank.net

There are many threads there about SoilMaster Select and how to get a single bag. If I am not mistaken there is more than one Lesco in the Chicago area.