Adding Aquatic Compost When The Tank Is Set-up

[AndyTaylor]

The tank is setup using Tetraplant CompleteSubstrate under sand and gravel. I know there's not enough in there but I got sick of waiting for the LFS to get me aquatic compost. No sooner was the tank set up and planted than my compost arrived.

Is it possible to add some at this stage? Soak it in water first and add it by the handful... I know it'll make a mess but that should settle, right? I should be able to mix it up with the top layer of gravel.
I figure any extra nutrients I can get in there will help.
Am I on the verge of doing an extremely stupid thing?

Andy

 

[jimbooo]

never used it personally but isn't it supposed to go under the substrate rather than mixed in? that would be impossible without emptying it

 

[AndyTaylor]

Jimbooo to the rescue! Thanks, mate... of course it's supposed to go under the substrate and if I hadn't been so impatient that's where it would be instead of in a bag in my hallway ! I don't mind the bottom of the tank looking messy (or natural, as I like to call it) but I don't want a tank of floating peat.
I suppose I could try it in my 20L but that has fish in so I don't want to do that.
Nah, dumb idea! ) I'll save it for the next tank.......

 

[simonbrown403]

I tried it with some claybased stuff and ended up with a realy bad algue problem from the exsses iron it was leaching into the water, needless to say i had to strip tank down and give it a realy good clean.

The peat stuff is fine untill it works it's way to the surface then it floats, very messy lol.

 

[AndyTaylor]

I've just found a very clever way to do this on (shock, horror!) another forum! Mix some compost with water, put mixture in ice cube tray, freeze. Add to substrate while frozen. Genius.
Actually...put mixture in icecube tray, PUT ICE CUBE TRAY IN PLASTIC BAG, freeze, would probably be better!

 

[jimbooo]

genius, where there's a will there's a way.

great idea mate, good luck with it.

whats this about plastic bags hey? just chuck it in with the chips, burgers, bloodworms, cyclops, peas. it's all good ha ha

 

[modernhamlet]

whats this about plastic bags hey? just chuck it in with the chips, burgers, bloodworms, cyclops, peas. it's all good ha ha

You almost got me in trouble at work for laughing out loud.

The things we do for our fish...

 

[AndyTaylor]

LOL! No room for human food in my freezer! Wish the idea was mine, Jimbooo, 'tis brilliant...... now should the water i use be declorinated or not? Better try it before the good lady gets home from work or it'll be my dismembered body that'll be in the freezer!

 

[jimbooo]

tank water!!!!! the simplest option is always elusive!!

zig keeps his ferts in the fridge - milk or potassium nitrate with your coffee sir?

 

[AndyTaylor]

I was kinda joking about the water....it was funnier in my head!
I never though about where to keep my ferts....that could be tricky. Full fat potassium nitrate or skimmed? Decisions, Decisions!