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

Diana K had a great post about this several pages ago. What you are trying to achieve with MTS is a substrate in which all of the organics are broken down into mineralized nutrients (i.e. bioavailable).

Don't worry about brand names. Get the cheapest bag of topsoil Lowes or Home Depot has to offer. It's cheap because they don't add anything like fertilizer, peat, vermiculite, etc. to it.

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

That's true. Using too much can inhibit the growth of good bacteria in the soil, however the amount we are using is pretty small. Using K2SO4 can cause issues too though. The sulfate could make it easier for hydrogen sulfide to form in the substrate, which is just as bad, if not worse.

I'm planing to try greensand in the next tank I set up. I'll let you all know how it turns out.
http://homeharvest.com/orgfertespoma.htm

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

Thank you very much Aaron.
I had spent my time reading so far the last 12 or 13 pages of this thread.

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

FYI: For anyone looking for potash I found they carry it at Southern States if you have one nearby.

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

just a FYI

I found both dolomite powder and potassium chloride (muriate of potash) at a Vitamin Shoppe. the pair for less than $10

maybe theyll have one near you

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/content...ction=vitamins

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

Hi guys, great method and very informative thread!

Just a query regarding the final step of this method as I am putting together my first intensively planted tank and want to do it just right!

Is there a reason why the MSS is only meant to be 1/2"-1" deep? Also, does it need to be in its liquid form when you put it in the tank? Would the idea of letting it dry out and scaping the bottom of the tank with it not work?

The reason I ask is that I'm planning on having a full carpet in my tank so don't need to worry about what colour the substrate is... also want it sloping up towards the back but because my tank is so shallow (8") I would ideally just like to have a substrate completely made up of this MSS, sloping from maybe 1" at the front to 2.5" at the back. Any thoughts on this?

Also more of a general question - with mineralised substrate such as this, would having carbon in the filter be a problem in terms of taking nutrients from the plants? Do people generally use carbon media in planted tanks?

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

lets see...

1. you HAVE to cap it with something (pool filter sand, fine gravel, etc) if done correctly it becomes very light and airy...if you dont cap it...its not heavy enough to keep plants in the soil or keep the MTS out of the water column

2. you keep a thin layer (.5"-1") because you want it to have a good soil conductivity of water and O2. otherwise it will become anaerobic and will release toxic compounds as the few remaining organics in teh soil break down

3. you can let it dry out if you want...but its easier to handle if its moist

i did my tank in the opposite direction...dusted the bottom with nutrients...put my moist MTS in my tank and used a tool to pull it from the borders....then filled with moist pool filter sand

its easier to plant that way IMO then filled the tank SLOWLY

4. as far as using carbon in the filter...it doesnt hurt anything...its a personal preference really...a number of people do use it...a number of people dont

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

lets see...

1. you HAVE to cap it with something (pool filter sand, fine gravel, etc) if done correctly it becomes very light and airy...if you dont cap it...its not heavy enough to keep plants in the soil or keep the MTS out of the water column

2. you keep a thin layer (.5"-1") because you want it to have a good soil conductivity of water and O2. otherwise it will become anaerobic and will release toxic compounds as the few remaining organics in teh soil break down

3. you can let it dry out if you want...but its easier to handle if its moist

i did my tank in the opposite direction...dusted the bottom with nutrients...put my moist MTS in my tank and used a tool to pull it from the borders....then filled with moist pool filter sand

its easier to plant that way IMO then filled the tank SLOWLY

4. as far as using carbon in the filter...it doesnt hurt anything...its a personal preference really...a number of people do use it...a number of people dont

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

Hi killacross - thanks for that, very useful! Will be investing in some fine gravel after all then!

Can't wait to see the fruits of my labours, can't believe it's taking this long though... what with preparing the soil and growing my UG carpet emersed I probably won't have fish in my tank until Christmas :-o

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

I read we can use penny or nails for dose iron, is it safe for the fish?