Potting Mix - Page 2 - El Natural

davemonkey · 11-07-2009, 12:50 PM

Let us know how it works out. What substrate do you currently have in your tank (I think I missed that) ? You might want to try some "mud ice cubes" as well if you are going to leave the tank set up.

Qwertus · 11-07-2009, 01:45 PM

The tank has no substrate atm bare tank for shrimps. All I have is floating plants and banana plants since thats my only option.

Mud ice cubes will probably give me lots of frozen shrimps

davemonkey · 11-07-2009, 03:32 PM

Without any substrate in there now, I'd really recommend emptying the tank completely. You can catch all the shrimp into a net as you empty and keep them in a container. And you'll still need something to cap the soil off with. Otherwise, I'd recommend just using gravel or eco-complete. Those, you could pour into your tank without emptying it.

If you were located in Houston I'd come over and help. I know it can be a pain to empty out a tank, but without substrate now it would be MUCH easier, and well worth the effort.

Qwertus · 11-07-2009, 05:19 PM

How long does it take for the substrate to stop floating? I sorta don't want to cap it with anything, its the texture and color that I want. Do those small tree pieces have tanings or lower pH of my tank?

davemonkey · 11-07-2009, 07:00 PM

The potting mix will float, no matter what for at least several weeks. If you don't want a cap, go with "topsoil" or soil from your yard. You can put it in a 5gal bucket 1/2 full and then fill with water. Stir up well with your hands, let it settle for 10 minutes, pour off water and "floaties". Do that 5 or 6 times, or until the water looks clean after sitting for 10 minutes.

Then you can put this into your tank the way you want.

-Dave

Qwertus · 11-07-2009, 11:27 PM

I'm starting to think this will get very messy. I'll siphon the water to a container and then after the water in the tank clears I'll pour that water back in just because this is just a starting shrimp tank, I don't want to dump a large number the babies if I don't have to.

What about the pH of the tank and the hardness? I have a small piece of coral in there to make sure there's calcium for snails and shrimp.

dwalstad · 11-11-2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rastan71

Davemonkey, when you mix the 2 (top soil & organic potting soil) together and then put them in the aquarium, do you just put it in there loose or pack it down some?

Also, you suggest only 1" of both layers? Is there a reason to not put a deeper layer of soil (say 2")?

I just bought a new bigger aquarium and I already have a bag of the Miracle Grow organic potting soil. I still need to get the top-soil and gravel. I plan on setting the aquarium up next weekend

Davemonkey, you have summarized the soils and general procedure nicely. Thank you for taking the time to "re-invent the wheel".

Organic soils can go anaerobic if they're too deep or covered up with rocks and driftwood. All that organic matter is a great CO2 source, but if its too deep it quickly becomes anaerobic.

That's why I can't say it enough, if you use an organic soil use a 1" layer. (Only hobbyists that know what they're doing should use more.) Cover soil with the least amount of gravel or sand that will hold it down.

I set up two 1 gal bowls with pure Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting Mix and popped my Red Cherry Shrimp into them the same day. No fuss, no mineralization, etc. Plants and shrimp continue to do very well. The setup will be described in the Dec 2009 issue of FAMA (Freshwater and Marine Aquarium). I would get a copy of the magazine and my book.

davemonkey · 11-11-2009, 08:57 AM

Rastan 71, there's something I forgot to qualify regarding the topsoil that I was reminded of in another thread.

Topsoil is great for large/established plants (or Marsilea in my experience), but can cause problems with new plants that have not established much yet (thank you Diana for pointing that out). Be careful with it, and certainly don't disturb your substrate at all for at least several weeks if you use it. The result will be pea soup, about 2 months worth (in my experience

).

Qwertus · 11-11-2009, 09:52 AM

I emptied it out last sunday and added the organic soil + the topsoil from my yard. The water looks clear now, I'm currently waiting for a package to arrive that contains the rest of the parts for my diy light ballast.

Usually if I fill the tank with floating aquatic fern (not sure if thats the correct name), how long would the "re-cycle" for the tank takes? I'm using 15 watts CF 6500k on the 10 gal.

dwalstad · 11-11-2009, 04:05 PM

Depends on the tank. Soil will seed a new tank with nitrifying bacteria that may (or may not) work in your aquarium's ecosystem. Rather than guess, you could get ammonia and nitrite test kits to see if your tank is safe for fish.

Your lighting sounds perfect for emergent/floating plants. With this much light and that rich a substrate, you will need these fast-growing plants to suck up nutrients and protect submerged plants from algae.