Cat Litter Or Soil?

[Assaye]

Hopefully getting an Arcadia Arc tank and fancy doing something nice with it as it's a pretty little tank. Looking for a cheap substrate that will help fertilise the plants (although I will be dosing as well). Hav seen soil and cat litter recommended - what is the current thought on this?

 

[The-Wolf]

if by cat litter you mean the clay type, sometimes called fullers earth, then
it does the job, however you will regret it when you come to strip down the tank
for a move or when you upgrade.
trust me it is a lot easier to put in than it is to take out.

 

[ian]

Have a look at aquabasis plus, you wouldn't need that much for an arc, so it wouldn't cost that much.

 

[Assaye]

Have a look at aquabasis plus, you wouldn't need that much for an arc, so it wouldn't cost that much.

Okies, will do. Most substrates seem to come in large tubs in the £20-350 range and I can't afford that so didn't really look.

EDIT - looked, cheaper than I expected. How does this stuff work with liquid ferts? Would dosing be OTT? I have the ferts already so might be cheaper to stick with them if they're not a good combo with the substrate.

 

[ian]

i still dose, however its i have noticed a massive difference with my crypts and swords since using aquabasis, the only thing you have to watch is, when planting it does cloud the water, but it soon settles. Its always a good back up, if your away.

 

[Assaye]

i still dose, however its i have noticed a massive difference with my crypts and swords since using aquabasis, the only thing you have to watch is, when planting it does cloud the water, but it soon settles. Its always a good back up, if your away.

That's true. Not really thought about what would happen if I go away.

Might just get myself a tub of that stuff