Cheap Solution For Dirt In Tank

[Dolton]

just wondering is there any cheaper solutions for soil in a planted aquarium many thanks its for a 260l fluval vincenza many thanks 

 

[DrRob]

Depends what effect you want to produce.
 
If you're happy with hard water, then John Innes no 3 is fairly good. Otherwise a peat based compost that has no added fertilisers (ideally 100%) would do the trick.
 
Along with that several people use cat litter (the low dust tesco's stuff or sophisticat pink, both of which are clay, needs washing lots but works well, although it is a little on the light side).

 

[mike455555]

the thing with cat little is it doesnt have ferts to start with though, so you have to add them, cat little does get some from the water  as well, but if you want instant substrate, john innes is good. im going to using that in my next tank with a sand cap