What Soil Can I Use?

[Primous]

so which cam are you using?

Panasonic lumix, nothing special but it does take vids in 720p

 

[ian]

They look really good quality, cheers again for posting.

 

[LucyB]

I would triple check the packaging if I were you. Many soils labeled "organic" actually have a ton of chemicals added to boost growth so you've got to check the label/back of the packaging. I have heard of several organic soils that contain additives etc so yup, just triple check.

It say on the front of the bag: Easy, Clean, Safe free from Added Nitrates, Herbicides, Pesticides, Fungicides, and Growth Modifiers so I think its okay!

 

[mishmash]

Is miracle grow 100% organic potting mix available in the UK ? I notice that is what Primous was using but I don't know where they are based ?

 

[Primous]

wow

 

[Mikaila31]

I used regular topsoil and both my tanks did amazing up until I moved one of them. I believe the proper way is to mineralize the soil which takes weeks. I never did it so I've found it pretty typical that my soil goes anaerobic. My first soil tank was moved 15 miles when it was 8 months old and I have never been able to balance it since then. Other then that I have found them to be very stable tanks once up and running. I've always aimed for high/fast growth rates so all my tanks need fertilizers, even the soil ones. They are not as needy about them as other tanks but they still start to struggle after awhile. I run mine pretty much filterless. Ones been sitting stagnant for a week since the filter jammed up and I haven't fixed it. It has about a fish per gallon without any problems.

current 20 gallon

15 gallon before I moved it and when I took care of it.

15 gallon since I gave up/stopped taking care of it lol. Itz swamp.

 

[LucyB]

Mikaila - I did dirt my tank in December (This thread is quite old) and my plants have never looked better

 

[elmo666]

On the light note, flourescants do have a life span, with you buying it second hand they could be well past there best. Also there are "viewing" lights and dedicated plant lights so worth checking out what you have. Does garden centre bought soil have the same make uo as one of the specialist aquarium soils such as tropicana?

 

[SO19Firearms]

Also there are "viewing" lights and dedicated plant lights so worth checking out what you have.

It's not worth getting sucked in to that. No need for "plant lights"

Does garden centre bought soil have the same make uo as one of the specialist aquarium soils such as tropicana?

Different things really. Tropica is a clay chosen for it's CEC value.

 

[elmo666]

I thought plants required light in a certain colour spectrum, whereas tubes are limited in what spectrum they give. So, getting back to the soil question. Which provides more benefit, the soil or a clay based medium? Thanks.

 

[SO19Firearms]

I thought plants required light in a certain colour spectrum, whereas tubes are limited in what spectrum they give. So, getting back to the soil question. Which provides more benefit, the soil or a clay based medium? Thanks.

For a low tech tank unfertilised, minimum light, minimum water changes I'd prolly go soil.
Everything else clay to take advantage of it's CEC by adding the ferts to it in the amount I choose.

Ianho will tell you what to look for in a light. I can't remember off the top of my head and can't find one of his answers on search.
(I should prolly know tbh )

 

[elmo666]

thanks for that, appreciate your input. To be honest used to be very clued on aquatics, having kept all manner of fish over 20 yr, including a fully planted 400 litre discus tank with external foliage and mini waterfall. Unforetunately I developed epilepsy 2 yrs ago and since then much of my memory has gone, even all memory of my wedding day..........some may say thats a good thing lol