Can I Create My Own Substrate?

[minnnt]

After reading a few topics on here that have used normal compost, would this be ok to use for a small planted project? Does it eventually settle? Should i mix it with gravel? Sand? Use it as a base and top it with sand?

Give me some pointers guys! Cheers.

 

[electropunk06]

I was thinking exactly the same this afternoon.
Thanks now i dont have to bother making my own topic

 

[minnnt]

I was thinking exactly the same this afternoon.
Thanks now i dont have to bother making my own topic

Hopefully it's a case of great minds think alike then hey? Looking forward to some replies!

 

[KkAaNnEe]

You can use composts and then cap it, i think John Innes or something cant rememer now, on youtube there is a guy who does all this I can send you the link if you wish (by PM tho as im being moderated atm)...

 

[micko]

I thought the same the other week and had an old vase/bowl thing that my girlfriend bought for some reason. I have attempted it with plant only so far. Two inches of compost and an inch layer of crushed up Bangor blue roofing slate. Too small to filter or heat so I haven't put any livestock in there.
All I can say is that the compost has compacted down well and the plants are thriving.

 

[minnnt]

Ooooo.... I am itching to try it now! Would be filtered and heated, and would ideally like it to be inhabited.

 

[micko]

You can use composts and then cap it, i think John Innes

Have also heard this. Cactus compost too apparently.

 

[Mikaila31]

I swapped substrates a few days ago while moving a tank. This is the second soil based tank I have done. I use clay and dirt off the ground though and do some slight cleaning prep of it. This tank I capped with fluorite since that was what was in the tank originally. I've used sand I dug up and cleaned before as a cap in another tank and that turned out nice as well.

Clay layer- not washed

'cleaned' topsoil over top

dead oak leaves

Fluorite

Initial fill and stock- mostly wild type livebearers in this tank

Water clarity less then 24 hours later

 

[micko]

Mikaila31 can I ask why you used the dead oak leaves? Never heard of this process before.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I think thats just for tannins and minerals that the leaves give off, that, or it could just be to cap the substrate lol

 

[minnnt]

That is fantastic Mikaila! Thankyou very much! Really informative!

Micko, the oak leaves lower the ph a touch and softens the water i believe and creates a nice blackwater condition for fish that originate from these conditions. You can also use beech leaves i think.

 

[RadaR]

That is fantastic Mikaila! Thankyou very much! Really informative!

Micko, the oak leaves lower the ph a touch and softens the water i believe

Unless the leaves can somehow take out calcium and magnesium ions then I doubt it will soften the water. Reduce pH because of tannins and humic acids? Yes probably. How much will depend largely on the buffering capacity of the water.

 

[SO19Firearms]

Don't know if it was mentioned already - What about Akadama?

 

[Mikaila31]

That is fantastic Mikaila! Thankyou very much! Really informative!

Micko, the oak leaves lower the ph a touch and softens the water i believe

Unless the leaves can somehow take out calcium and magnesium ions then I doubt it will soften the water. Reduce pH because of tannins and humic acids? Yes probably. How much will depend largely on the buffering capacity of the water.

Meh I use them more so to form a temporary barrier against excess nutrient seepage out the the soil. Dunno if they actually do anything though. Used them the same way when I set up my other substrate and that tank did fine. Couldn't see any negative effect, so why not put them in there . They can't last more then a few months.

 

[minnnt]

Sounds like a very good plan!!