jsadlersos

Ok, so I have a planted tank with Miracle grow Organic choice soil with a pea gravel cap. The plants are growing crazy but my fish see to be getting sick. If I poke the soil I get plenty of bubbles the smell like rotten eggs when they pop(hydrogen sulfide). Could this be leeching into my water column and making my fish sick?? I'm probably going to get rid of the substrate and just use the gravel with root tabs, but I just wondering if this could be the cause of my sick fish. I'd like to put an end to this fight
-The aquarium is cycled
-Ammonia, Nitrites : 0
-Nitrates: 10
-pH: 7.4
-I've just started using flourish (only one dose in)
-t5 twin bulb fixture
-75 gal.

Tex Gal

Yes it could. Maybe you but too thick a layer of potting soil? Poke all around your soil to try to release it all while running an air stone. Then do at least a 50% water change. You may have to do this several times.

So sorry this is happening to you.

jsadlersos

Thanks for the reply, I'm really not sure what to do. I've got my fish in a QT with antibiotics (septicemia, and body slime), so either I can remove the soil, which is what I'm leaning towards, or take my chances by degassing the substrate. It all just happened so fast. I caught the fish illness in time I think, so I believe that they will recover, but now I have to deal with a 75 gallon gas chamber..Ha! Any suggestions on a new substrate??

Tex Gal

How deep is the soil? If its really deep and you did not mineralize, it is probably the organics decomposing. That will continue until the greater portion is decomposed. That could be months. If it is indeed thicker than 1/2 inch I'd remove it and start over. There is nothing wrong with using dirt but it has to be thin and not enriched. You can read in the el natural forum about which brand and type soil to use. Then, of course, you cap it. There are many who swear by this type of substrate.

My favorite is ADA aquasoil. Fluval has a new substrate out that others believe is just as good. I've not tried it yet. These two are pretty expensive. Some people use inert substrates like sand. You would have to supply nutrients from some source, root tabs, dry ferts, etc. have you read the stickys in the substrate forum? That might be a good place to start.

jsadlersos

Yup, my soil is definitely thicker than 1/2 an inch. I will check the substrate forums.
thanks texgal

jsadlersos

Wow that was brutal.
Drained the tank,and took out all the soil. The downstairs smelled horrible for a few hours. Now I just have a little dirt at the bottom with some floramax mixed in and gravel at the top. Root tabs are in place, water is back in the tank, and now I'm just waiting for the fish to finish up their antibiotics in the QT. Ahhhh I love this hobby

Tex Gal

So sorry! There is no substitute for research. So glad you were able to remove your fish. Hope they have a speedy recovery.