AussieNick

Hi all,

This could be my first post here so be gentle.

I live in rural Australia and have difficulty locating a suitable soil for use in an NPT. The potting soil you can buy around here is either loaded with supplement nutrients or with ridiculous amounts of organic material and no actual soil.

So, I've been creating my own soil, partly using the mineralised soil recipes that seem to be highly fashionable now. The only issue I have is that these recipes don't provide for organic material, which is obviously highly essential for an NPT.

My question is, what can I add to my soil recipe to provide the otherwise missing organic material?

Thanks in advance,
NJW

Dustymac

G'day Nick,
Why not mix in some of your potting soil with ridiculous amounts of organic matter? The topsoil I've been using with some success has about 1/3 sand, 1/3 clay and 1/3 small wood chips.

Welcome!
Jim

AussieNick

Thanks Jim,

It's good to have an idea of ratio's like that. The only non-fertilised potting soil I could find was probably 50-60% wood chips, and contained no clay whatsoever, which is why I hesitated using it.

I was thinking of adding peat moss, for the added benefit of some water softening, but other then that I suppose I could try woodchips. I'm guessing I should avoid pine chips given that they might leach oils into the water column.

What about leaf litter and/or worm castings?

Cheers,
NJW

davemonkey

At least one other member here has used worm castings with success. Also, MiracleGro Organic Choice has no added ferts (it's much like well-composted-mulch) and has been used by several members here with success.

For the greatest benefit, mix your mineral topsoil with some of the organic stuff, OR just go with the organic stuff and make sure to stock the tank WELL with fish and feed them well (that will provide your nutrients well enough to make up for the lack of mineral soil).

-Dave

Diana K

I would suggest the leaf litter or the potting soil with no fertilizer, but sift it to remove the larger pieces. I saw the post about the worm castings, too. Go for it! A blend of organic matter sources might be better than concentrating on one particular material. Each will decay at a different rate, and each may bring slightly different nutrients to the soil blend.
You could use peat moss, too, a light dusting on the bottom of the tank, then add the soil. I have used peat moss in larger amounts and it is OK as far as pH and other parameters. But it is so light that anything disturbs it and it takes a while to settle. It does not really cloud the water, the pieces are too big for that, but there are thousands of little bits drifting around, then they settle all over the plant leaves and everything else in the tank. I worry about the fishes' gills in conditions like that. Like trying to breath in a dust storm.