Quote:
Originally Posted by Qwertus  |
Yep, that's the one. The only way to put it down as a substrate is to empty the tank completely and begin from step 1 (putting down the substrte). You'll have to cap it with something like gravel, eco-complete, sand, etc... You want about 1" or a little less of each layer.
You COULD make 'mud-cubes' in ice trays and freeze them, then push them down into your substrate, but it's messy.
The difference between this stuff and eco-complete and topsoil is that Potting Soil is mostly organic material (peat, composted bark and wood chips, etc... ). The organic matter provides you with CO2 as it decomposes under your substrate. BUT, it also floats, so you need something to weigh it down. Hence, the "cap" layer.
Eco-complete is a fired clay that has no organic matter in it (if it did, it would have burnt up in the firing process). It is largely inert except for some iron held by the clay particles. It is made from a clay that has a very high CEC, meaning it can hold onto nutrients that you add when you fertilize and make them better available to the plant roots.
Topsoil is "topsoil". The top layer of soil from your yard or from anywhere where they get the stuff to bag it up and sell it. It is mineral soil (sand silt and clay - percent of each in the soil will depend on where it's collected) with some organic matter naturally in it (best guess is anywhere from 2 - 9% ). The good thing about topsoil is that it usually has some Phos and Potassium in it (naturally) and can provide those nutrients for a long time in a tank.
In my humble opinion, the best aquarium substrate would be a mix of 'organic potting soil' and 'topsoil' (70/30 , 60/40 , 50/50 , whatever) to give you the best of both worlds. 1" of this mix on the bottom, capped with 1" of something to hold it down (playground sand, gravel, fired clay substrates). (However, I AM having good results from the organic potting soil alone. )
Whatever route you take, take your time and do it right. Gather up all the plants you'll need ahead of time. Plant the plants before you add water (so you don't get substrate flaoting up through the holes you make while planting) and spritz them to keep them wet. When you're ready to fill, do it SLOWLY. Then, don't touch anything for at least a week to let it all settle and let the plants start growing.
You'll be rewarded with a low-maint, lush tank.
Potting Mix 
Linear Mode
