Stupid Question (?) - What Happens If I Use Soil/compost?

[RipSlider]

So today, in a fit of quite incredible genius, I fell into a lake. Not a little bit of a puddle pretending to be a lake. Oh no. A full blown, very wet, very cold, very muddy lake. Did I laugh? Oh goodness me no. Did Mrs Steve and The Small Boy? Oh yes. How do you make a 3 year old puke with laughter? Have his dad fall in a lake.....


Anywho, I have been pondering my compost heap for a while now, in terms of using it as a substrate, and today's trip into the lake confirms, in graphic detail, that the bottoms of lakes are very definately made of mud. Very thick mud. No nice clean gravel or sand bottom for me.... oh no.


So here's my question. "Soil" has been discussed a number of times in books and magazines as being a really bad idea. The main reason being that "You don't know whats in it". However, in my compost heap and wormery I have much more control. My garden is about 98% organic, apart from the odd moss killing session on the grass, and there's no grass in the compost. So I'm not worried about any chemical issues. ( That doesn't mean I shouldn't, hence why I'm asking ). I'm not too worried about any pathogens from dying plants either. Last summer the heap was at 71 degrees CENTIGRADE in the middle and stayed like that for weeks on end. The heap is going to be bursting with bacteria, but its very unlikely any macro parisites survived that.

The wormery takes it a step further. Everyhting in there has been through the guts of multiple worms, as well as baking at a high heat and being fully organic. Just to be clear - I don't eat all of this organic stuff by choice. Mrs Steve believes in vitamins and all that sort of nonsense, when it's clear to everyone that the food makers have put a lot of effort into selecting all those chemicals, so they're obviously good for you. However, I have very much lost that battle.

So, I know whats in the stuff, I don;'t believe it'll be carrying any significant pathogens and I know that wild lakes have essentially the same lake bed make up. But I'm still hesitant to use it.

Are there any other reasons not to use it?

Thanks

Steve

 

[Cazgar]

I can just picture your other half & son cracking up, I would have too lol
Sorry, can't help you with your question, hope someone else can.... when they've stopped laughing that is

 

[CezzaXV]

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question either.

Is compost something that people use as a substrate? I've been considering using some for a shrimp tank but I don't know if it's something that people actually do. I'd only be looking to buy something though rather than make my own

 

[stu40]

People going down the 'Walstad' route to a planted tank, recommend Jon Innes #3 or another organic based compost.
In theory, i don't see the difference between these and your own home produced stuff.
It'll need sieving to remove larger twigs etc, and need capping as i think it can be quite 'light'
Just a thought, doesn't mean i'm right.

stu

 

[Primous]

I have a soil aquarium and have never seen or read that it's a bad idea. Unless of course you're talking about soil from your garden. In which case I'd have to agree that you shouldn't use it. The only soil you should add are those which are 100% organic. Miracle grow or John ines are the ones which are used most commonly and to great success.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I have a soil aquarium and have never seen or read that it's a bad idea. Unless of course you're talking about soil from your garden. In which case I'd have to agree that you shouldn't use it. The only soil you should add are those which are 100% organic. Miracle grow or John ines are the ones which are used most commonly and to great success.

+1 has to be organic

It is a good substrate, just a bit mucky, don't know if Ive got the balls to put it in my tank, would be difficult to remove as well I would think

 

[RipSlider]

Thanks guys.

Question though - Miracle Gro and John Innes No3 are both very UN-organic - they're loaded with fetilisers.

I'll get the tank I'm in the process of setting up all sorted out and I'll have a play. Definately want to keep shrimp, so will stick to just stuff from the compost heap - That Miracle Gro stuff especially is loaded with copper sulphate and it'll kill the shrimp stone dead..


Steve

 

[Mikaila31]

I just dug up soil from the woods around my parents house then sifted it and make lots of things muddy. I layered oak leaves under to slow down the initial leaching of nutrients. Then used sand I also dug up from the woods. Along with stick I collected from the woods . I really like free stuff. I had shrimp in mine from the moment I filled it as little worms were dying everywhere and I need something to eat them lol. The cherries are all too happy to do the task. Tank has been running about 16 months, it had problems at 8months when I moved it. I haven't added fish back to it yet except the occasional fry holding. I will be moving it again this summer and probably redoing the soil same way as I have done it before. Its a standard 15 gallon tank with a lot of light.

4 months old

this week