Cheap Substrate !

[Rooster]

Just been to Sainsburys looking for M & M's ( is there a world shortage ? lol)
Picked up a BIG bag of fullers earth cat litter for £2.79 !!!! Result !


For the uninitiated this is used under gravel or sand as plant nutrient.

 

[AMS]

Ive heard of this method before, though I am skeptical of how well it works.

 

[Dubby]

I use the Tesco equivalent.

 

[jimbooo]

does it not have anti smell type chemicals in it? just curious

 

[Rooster]

does it not have anti smell type chemicals in it? just curious

According to the bag it is only "Fullers earth" .... I shall be trying some in a test environment first, but have every confidence !

 

[bennett]

argos play sand rules

 

[Dubby]

does it not have anti smell type chemicals in it? just curious

Tesco's says it is pure with no added chemicals.

 

[Themuleous]

does it not have anti smell type chemicals in it? just curious

Tesco's says it is pure with no added chemicals.

But equally it doesn't contain any ferts does it? Iron etc? Its just there to absorb nutrients from the fish waste?

 

[Rooster]

SCRUB the idea !

The water went all "chicken soup" despite thorough washing.... the fish were happy enough, and the chemistry was hardly effected, but after a few days the water was still not clear, and as suspected, the filter was clogged !

So, in the bin with it ! Anyone got a cat ? lol

 

[Nim]

You get a bag of Aquatic potting compost at B&Q. £2.48 I think and looks good stuff. I have a tank setup with it and it does not seem to be releasing any Nitrogen and phosphates.. I believe its just soil with some traces added to it.

Nim
ps: You can always get TopSoil from garden centres or b&Q and use it as the lower layer covered with play sand.. works a treat

 

[Rooster]

Gave up with the corner cutting, and bought some "ecocomplete" which has had brill reviews...

 

[ksam]

I had the aquatic potting soil for ponds before in my old tank, the plants did seem to like it but when I came to clear the tank out it had turn into a brick basically (haven't a clue how the plants managed to get thier roots through the stuff, lol) now I use Cactus compost underneath either sand (playsand) or 3mm gravel, the compost has a mixture of sand and volcanic "bits" (can't remeber the technical name, lol) which stops it from clogging plus at only £3 a bag it's pretty good value, and it's a big bag

 

[Nim]

Gave up with the corner cutting, and bought some "ecocomplete" which has had brill reviews...

I did that about 2 years ago and bought 10 bags of Flourite ... Its brilliant but I had problems growing echinodorous species in there.. stem plants were just growing nicely.. reverted back to layered substrates now (Tetra Pondcare aquatic compost and sand) and have the flourite sitting in the loft

Nim

 

[Dubby]

Tesco's says it is pure with no added chemicals.

But equally it doesn't contain any ferts does it? Iron etc? Its just there to absorb nutrients from the fish waste?

I dont believe it would work t absorb fish waste. I use it for helping the plants grow. So the ferts, iron are desired nutrients

Gave up with the corner cutting, and bought some "ecocomplete" which has had brill reviews...

Sorry to hear that it didnt work for you. I have been using a layer of of clay, vermiculite and a top layer of sand for several years without any problem. My plants love it and the water is crystal clear.

Wish you luck with Eco Complete!!