Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

Hello all,

I recently got a used, but nearly new, 29 gal biocube from a friend of mine for free, so I guess I am now going to start a planted aquarium. So that also means I am a noob to the hobby.

I am considering doing this mineralized soil approach, but I have some ideas for a slightly different approach. I guess it would be appropriate to document methodology here in order to get input from others who have been experimenting for years, assuming this is OK with Aaron?

A little info on me. My formal education includes a BS degree in soil science and hydrology, and nearly a second BS in applied plant biology. I would be happy to answer any of the more technical questions people might have with regard soil based substrates (per the topic).

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

Hi Kiril, great minds think alike, lol since I’ve also been pondering on a way to make a mineral enriched substrate in a more simple way and with less effort than the one illustrated by Aaron, and with less plagues with nitrogen and other macros leaching from the El Natural method during the early phase of setup. I look forward to see your ideas and different approach when you start to post. Maybe you can start a journal on it.

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

Fine by me. :D

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

K has still the only thing I've ever needed to dose. I've had tanks running about 3 years now before I've had to tear them down (not for needing to redo the substrate, but for moving reasons). I usually need to start adding K about 4-6 months after the initial setup. I dose about 1.0 ppm / week or less. It doesn't take much.

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

I may start a journal on the process. Basically I am looking at building a soil medium that will hopefully work with normal tap water in my area and provide a long term source of nutrients for the specific type of plants/tank environment desired. I will not be using generic top soil in order to avoid the negative impacts associated with decomposing organic matter and to eliminate the wet/dry mineralization steps. If everything works the way I envision it, the different components of the substrate can be prepped, mixed, and used almost immediately.

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

So what kind of soil are you considering? I've thought about clay because I have used it in an outdoor pond, but I added fertilizer few times during the growing season.

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

It will be primarily sand with clay and other naturally stable sources of slow release nutrients.

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

I'm just about on my last wash cycle of my topsoil and was wondering if instead of using like craft clay. I could use the red clay from my yard an still be able to get the same results?

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

I CANNOT RECOMMEND MINERALIZED TOPSOIL ENOUGH!

I get way thicker growth, way less algae, and more species are doing well than in my "EI" tank.

If you have an empty tank, get some right away. (mind you it takes a month to prepare) but it gives cheap easy results! Bear in mind that there is no way I can profit from endorsing this stuff.

Re: How-To: Mineralized Soil Substrate, by Aaron Talbot
 

hey aaron,
great post! very useful! going to be using it soon! i would just like to ask some questions please!

at step 6 when putting the gravel over the mud wouldnt some of the gravel sink into the mud? thus causing a mixture thing?

and as for adding the clay? is there any sort of specific clay you must use or any?

thanks