Red Clay

[Iron Man]

I don't know how many are familiar with red clay but we have loads of it here near where I live. Its very fertile soil and I was just wondering if anyone has used this under some other substrate in their aquariums? Its awful dusty, of course, but using it under something else would tame it....would it not?

 

[Yenko]

It would not make a mess if it is under gravel. I had some sucess mixing clay with vermiculite and putting gravel on top of that.

 

[Beta 93]

i dont know where you are. but here in Georgia, we have lots of red clay, it is far from fertile, it chokes plants, it also gets rock hard when wet.

 

[Iron Man]

I live near the border of Georgia and South Carolina, in Lexington...that's right by Augusta. LOTS of red clay here but its very fertile and the green in the plants that grow in it is very deep and bright...its good soil. BUT I've decided not to mess with this stuff as I already experimented enough to know what I need to know. I used a 5 gallon bucket. I've decided just to use all playsand in my tank and fertilize my plants myself.

Thanks for the comments though!

 

[Mr Miagi]

I think youve made the smarter decision! That clay sounds asthough it may pollute your water, causing params to go a bit crazy. Like youve decided to do already, i would stick with play sand and ferts.

 

[LoachLover]

I think it would make to much of a mess to be worth it.

 

[Iron Man]

Exactly guys. Just too much trouble to be worth it. I appreciate the support.