Coco Fibre

[Honeythorn]

Hi, I'm passing on a question for my brother.

He wants to completely re-do his 35 gallon tank. But he is wondering if he can use a thin layer of PH neutral coco fibre under a main substrate of either sand or gravel.

His terrestrial plants grow well in it, and he has also used it in growing terrestrial plants hydroponically.

So he wondered if it is safe to use in an aquarium, or in any way beneficial for plants ? Or should he just use pond soil like I do?

Does anyone know if the use of it would harm his fish? He has 1 angel, 3 mollies, a female krib and an upside down catfish in the tank. The coco fibre is definitely PH neutral.

 

[russ1979]

you mean his cannabis plants

 

[Honeythorn]

As well as other more ordinary plants yes.

He was just wondering wether it would be of any use in an aquarium as he has a lot to spare.

 

[aaronnorth]

i cant see why it wouldnt work,

 

[three-fingers]

Pond soil would be much better since it actually contains lots of nutrients and inorganic molecules, coco fibre will just be like using peat, but since it's pH neutral (which I assume just means the tannins have been leached out) it wont acidify the substrate as nearly as fast.

It can be used if you want though, and it would be better than nothing, but pond soil would be much better and isnt too expensive (depending on the side of the tank).

 

[Honeythorn]

Great I'll tell him, thanks. Perhaps a mixture of the two would be a nice compromise...