Aquatic Compost

[happy hen]

Hi
i have recently moved house and so had to strip my tank after 5 yrs of it being set up. Origunally I used a tetra substrate( can't remember the name it was like powdery peat) under the gravel and the plants have been fantastic. I am now about to set the tank up again and am unable to find any substrate for tropical tanks. My local aquatic centre sold me some arthur bowers aquatic pond compost, saying it would be just as good, and cheaper. Has anyone used this? I was intending to put some in a pair of old tights to prevent it floating then put a layer of gravel in top. I keep mixed community fish - cardinals, hatchets,corys, harlequins.

 

[chesterscot]

never thought about using pond compost im interested how this thread goes my concern would be that it would stain the water
scot

 

[SuperColey1]

No need for tights. Just put it in the bottom. Put the gravel on top. Then let the filter clear the water for a couple of days.

Can't put fish in for a few weeks though because it will leech ammonia into the water and you will need to wait for the spike to die off.

This is the same as ADA AS.

AC

 

[happy hen]

No need for tights. Just put it in the bottom. Put the gravel on top. Then let the filter clear the water for a couple of days.

Can't put fish in for a few weeks though because it will leech ammonia into the water and you will need to wait for the spike to die off.

This is the same as ADA AS.

AC

Thanks for that, must admit I have been sitting here looking at a pair of tights and a bit of net curtain, wondering if I could make some sort of bag to put compost in. I assumed the compost would float up through the gravel, but I suppose once it's waterlogged it doesn't. I will set it up rthis evening. Not a problem to wait for ammonia to die down, my fish are in a small spare tank at the mo.

 

[SuperColey1]

The dusty particles will rise up but the filter will pull them from the water over time. Think about a 2 ft deep river/stream bed. It is crystal clear until you stir the bottom up, then you get a swirl of dusty muck in the water. A river has random stones and gravel whereas you will be putting an inch or two solid over it.

AC

 

[Liam]

I forget which brand I used on a tank once, it worked fine for the plants but even with RO water it kept the ph at 9.4 which was not ideal so maybe best to check its ph first. Once there is enough sand or gravel over it it stays on the bottom much like Tropica substrate.