Clay capped substrate

Hi all.

To all the plant keeping member out there:
You understand the concept of the PFP and Chemicult substrate capped with something.

Would there be any benefits of, instead of using PFP+chemi', using a +-1cm thick clay (mushy) substrate capped?
This idea is mainly for amazons and grow out/clipping tans.

Thanks
Firefly

 

I think @Rudi does something similar to this?

 

@Firefly,
Using soil based substrates has been around for a long time.The benefits is huge,if done correctly the substrate could last for up to 5 years,only dosing liquid ferts now and again.
Red clay is what you want,the red colouring is caused by iron oxide.Swords and crypts usually does well in this substrate.
You can also roll the clay in small balls,bake or dry them,and push the balls into the substrate next to specific plants.
@Zoom,
The stuff I used is not quit a clay,but granules.It does the job anyway.
I'm thinking of redoing my Anubia tank and using Mineralized Top Soil as the substrate.I will start a thread on that,a complete journal.

 

Thanks @Rudi, I was just going to use potters clay and just have a plant grow-out tank. Do you think this would work? I could use clay granules that I made myself, and they have some Chemicult mixed with them.

 

Perfect.

 

Thanks for the swift reply. I can't cover the entire base but I'll just make balls as I go along.

 

where can one get some of this? as i would like to do this with my next tank.

 

Most arty shops should sell pottery clay. I made little marble sized balls and baked them.

 

thanks firefly.

could you post some pics of the tank maybe?

what did the clay cost you if i may ask?

 

Pic of the clay, notice the left is cooked and the right is just soft clay.
The tank was only filled completely today and this is what it looks like. I need another light. I might add some white clouds...
Think a 4kg bag was R40. Got it a long time ago.

 

thanks man

and you only used the clay, as in the pic, 50/50?

and what was the tank size? as i want to do this in my 1.5 or in my 2ft tank.

o ja, did you only use the one bag of clay?

thanks

 

I'm didn't feel like cooking the rest. It is capped with 2cm silica sand. IMO it should be thicker.

This is a 1.5ft tank. It has a tiny filter mainly for water movement. No heater, but I will probably add a small one tomorrow.

No, not nearly a bag. About 1/4 of a bag.

 

cool thanks

think this will be a cool thing to do.

 

No problem, lets hope it works.

 

Hi Guys,

I have just found this thread and I want to add a few things. The reason why I have proposed PFP as a substrate is it is inert, it can carry a dissolved fert combination such as Chemicult and because IT ALLOWS OXYGEN INTO THE SUBSTRATE which is essential for plant root growth. Rudi has mentioned that he used granulated clay which is much better because it does allow some oxygen in between the clay particles, but normal clay excludes oxygen completely as it packs very densely under the gravel.

So, I would not get very excited about this as I think you are not doing your plants any favours.

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Thank you very much for your input @Dirk.What you said is true about the clay, it does not have any water flow like the PFP. Thanks again.:bigsmile:

 

I never thought of using pottersclay , I used cat litter may sound funny but it works once it gets whet it turns to clay and i mixed this with canadian pete moss. This was covered with silica sand about 2cm thick , and the plants are growing well

 

I've heard a lot of people used cat litter sand in the past. I would however SERIOUSLY advise against it now. I have 2 cats, so obviously we are constantly purchasing this stuff... and I can tell you now that I have not found a SINGLE cat litter manufacturer at the moment that does not add some form of chemical, fragrance, or "secret ingredient".

 

Base quality ingredient is a clay. In Sa, there are a few which have no additives.
Didn't I tell you about this recently?
When you said you had the expensive, crystal type?

Anyway, if it's bentonite, montmorillonite, zeolite type clays composing kitty litter without ANY additives it would serve some good purpose.
Mainly cationic exchange capacity. Something you look for in ideal planted substrates..
The cheapest locally mined product, practically disintegrates, and may dissolve to an extent...compacting, which is undesirable for a substrate.

Of course, it goes without saying that even if there are no additives listed...you are using something for a purpose it wasn't originally intended..and your results(failure/success) is your own responsibily.

If I deal with the mine, or manufacturer-processor, it would offer control of that aspect

 

i never though of that , i heard about it through a lps where i purchase almost all my tank equipment.I'll keep it for the next month or so and see what happens.