Using Clay As Substrate?

[fifefish]

i've been wondering if it was possible to use pond clay as aquarium substrate for a highly planted tank?
shown in a diagram below.

 

[Colin_T]

red clay (often sold as laterite) can be used in an aquarium for plants to get nutrients from. It is preferable to get red or orange coloured clay from a dry area rather than a pond. The stuff in the pond could contain all sorts of disease or parasite eggs/ larvae. Clay from a dry land environment will have fewer diease organisms to infect the fish.
You don't need much clay, about 1/2 inch is heaps. Then put your gravel on top and put the plants in the gravel. As their roots grow into the clay they start to get the nutrients from it.

 

[Truck]

buy a bag of clay based cat litter and bobs your uncle

 

[Dave Spencer]

Make it cat litter that is calcium bentonite. It has a good CEC which will supply nutrients to the roots.

Dave.