torpedobarb

I am going to have to read that. it does get exhausting having to dose daily. it would be a huge undertaking when I do it though.

will I ever have to redo it for nutrients? or does it pretty much last forever?

AaronT

It pretty well lasts forever. The fellow who introduced me to the concept has had tanks running for 15 years now. A very tiny dose of potassium weekly is needed after a few months of setup. I do mean tiny too, like 0.5 ppm is all it takes or they'll be algae.

looking4roselines

Looks like we got ourselves a new recruit.

Jag1980

Can I just use my Fluorite I already have instead of making the mud pie and just add the bulk minerals under my substrate? I will read this whole thread it this will work, instead of just the first page.

AaronT

You can use Flourite as the top layer, but it doesn't have near the nutrients that the soil does. The mud is the whole point of the system. It should provide all of the necessary nitrogen, phosphorus and trace elements that your plants will need to grow well.

Reading this whole thread could be a daunting task by now. I suggest reading the article I wrote in the Library section to start off with. It should only take about 10 minutes to read.

zer0zax

Hey Aaron! Have you or SCMurphy tried mineralized soil without Co2? I want to give this a shot someday, but I am planning on using low light/no Co2. I plan to use mainly Cryptocoryne Affinis and a lot of cypress roots on the backwall with the tops growing emergent (They don't last long submersed). I think the hardwater crypts will love the minerals and I should have crazy root mass, just wondering how the slow growth would hold up.

It makes sense that the mineralized method would provide nutrients easier to plants as wetland water is constantly rising and falling throughout the years, exposing the soil to air and everything else imaginable before being submersed again. All of the lakes and ponds I've tromped around had very little fresh organic material under the top inch of substrate...

torpedobarb

looking4roselines... yes you did! I started the soil rinsing and drying last week.

I am looking for a link to where I can purchase the clay from. not to be picky.. but a direct link to the exact stuff I need. I googled red potting clay and there are so many different kinds. I know to stay away from polymer clays. if someone would do this it would be great. thanks, Ken

torpedobarb

will this sand work like the 3m colorquartz?
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...g=true&cFlag=1

ingg

torpedobarb - for the blasting sand, I *think* so, but not sure. It is a sized sand anyhow.

For clay, look for pottery supply stores in your area, or look for folks making hand made pottery. I started googling pottery makers in my area, and then found a couple supply houses.

torpedobarb

I did find some clay.. here is a link to what I bought.. will this work?
http://www.dickblick.com/zz332/31/