John Innes Potting Compost..?

[Eclecticoldsod]

Someone has suggested to me that JOHN INNES POTTING COMPOST No.2 makes a good substrate under sand or gravel for a planted tank. This is what it contains [from their own website...]
7 Loam
3 Peat
2 Sand
each cubic metre of mix contains...
0.6kg ground limestone
2.4kg hoof and horn meal
2.4kg superphosphate
1.2kg potassium sulphate
I don't know if it is obtainable in the States but every garden center in the U.K. carries it.
What are your thoughts on this stuff..?

 

[Truck]

its fine to use.

 

[nmonks]

As I understand it, the problem with standard composts is that they are high in nitrate, and if you don't have rampant plant growth, the end result is a lot of algae. I have used pond soil under a bed of fine gravel or sand, and found that works well. Pond soil is designed not to promote algae and for obvious reasons is non-toxic to fish.

Cheers, Neale