DIY potting soil substrate for a planted tank

Looking great , think I must attempt this mix .

 

That is just mind blowing.

 

Started the planting

 

@dash. Very nice looking tank. Please could you pm me a contact nr. I would like to try setting up something similar and need some pointers before i start.

Thanks
Leen.

 

@dash - this is a seriously beautiful looking tank (referring to the first tank)! I am so impressed.

Could I get your email / number? I am wanting to setup a low-tech planted tank, and don't have the funds to go all out on substrate. This potting soil substrate looks like such a good alternative!

 

Shame man, what happened after this tank (the second one) split? Did you get it repaired? Are you still gonna do a potting soil tank for that office?

 

I have followed @dash. 's recipe and it works like a charm....

 

Which one is that @Leen

 

@tanked72. Hi. Look at page one of this thread. I left out the peat moss though. My tank has been running for two weeks now. No problems so far and no dying or discolouring plants. I treated the water with some seachem safe...just in case of a amonia spike. I also added some platies just to get the nitrogen cycle started. Still early days...

 

thanks @Leen will do

 

Hi guys glad I could help all of you. @leem glad the tank is coming along nicely.

Not sure if I am going to set up that tank in the office again as my bro is still a little upset lol

 

"@leen post a pick of your tank.

 

@dash Brilliant work on this, I am a newbie to planted aquariums and would love to start with your potting soil method to try keep the costs lower.

Did you manage to create an article about the processes you went through, and the lessons learned?

Would also help to have a list of the plants that you used (or recommend) as I am absolutely clueless to what I should use as a beginner.

 

Thank you for the experiment @dash. I where thinking about replacing my existing substrate with ADA but 9x 9kg bags is a lot of money, so where thinking about the organic potting soil mix.

Is your pH still stable and did you had any ammonia spikes or algea booms?
Do you still poke the gravel or did the plant roots get to resolve the problem?

Please post us an updated pic?

thanks

 

Here is a interesting website I've found explaining FResh water Deep sand beds work. http://Www.wetwebmedia.com. Here is a picture explaining but there is a article that explains everything in detail.

 

Another recipy for substrate to use. Greater Washington Aquatic Plant Association Mineralized Soil Substrate

 

I'm afraid the science alludes me somewhat here but this is what I tried..

1 - Mineralised soil (from my garden) I simply removed the majority of the loose/light material and put what was left straight into my tank, this did take some time. This layer is about 2-4 cm deep.
2 - River Sand, I have access to this but Umgeni/building sand would be fine. Just washed it out in a large tub, about 10 kg at a time. This layer is about 2-4 cm deep.
3 - Top layer is silica mixed with Seachem Flourite only 1large bag. This layer is slightly deeper on average.

In the regions where I expected to plant more heavily I laid it slightly thicker..

The mix looks natural and doesn't take long to settle, I carries the basic nutrients and structure that the plants and their roots require and is bottom feeder friendly.The plants I have put in are showing signs of growth after just a few days. Needless to say, besides the Flourite this cost almost nothing.

My concern with compost or potting soil is that it needs to be completely "organic" there could be any number of chemicals/ferts in there.

But with this as with all things, I stand to be corrected.

 

Tagging along

 

@greg , used the DIY method , tank running now for over a year with no issues at all , Pic attached , sorry for the bad quality

 

@twincam16

thanks for the pic bud. What combination did you use for this ?
there Is a group for fish keepers in DBN you should join.

nice tank btw