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

This pretty much describes the whole of Australia :).

Some of the chemicals readily available here seem to vary. This, I assume, is because what is sold is what is produced locally. The dolomite sold here does look different to what is shown in the wikipedia entry but it is the only thing available as far as I'm aware. It should still be mostly calcium magnesium carbonate.

I found some plain soil without the additives and I'm going to try this using what I can get my hands on. I don't see why some substitution would be a problem. The original recipe doesn't exactly call for you to pull out the scales and precisely weigh everything.

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

well then I better grab a shovel too. I don't have much of a garden where I live, lets hope there is a park somewhere close by and I don't get arrested. LOL.

Imagine explaining that to the police, "but it's for my tank."

Thanks for all your replies, Will give this a try and post some pics up in a few weeks.

:)

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

Do not do anything illegal! For the small cost it ain't worth it. Go to a Nursery or Landscaping place and ask.

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

Thanks very much for your article, I look forward to trying this. I have a question as to which pottery clay is better. When I've taken pottery courses, we've had access to 2 types of clay, a reddish brown one and a light grey one. It sounds from reading the posts that you've preferred the red one - is that correct, or do you think it will make a difference?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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

Hi Cliff Mayes

I was not serious when I said I would go to a park.
instead I went to a friend's house and dug up a small section of his garden :)

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

Hehe, this is exactly what went through my mind when I called my cousin in construction. "Can I come to your work site and dig up some soil?" "Um, sure...but why?" "It's for my fish tank!" I'm glad I'm not the only one that sees the humor in this!

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

This is my recent 10 gallon setup, AaronT. Just a couple questions, will growth be as fast as if you were water column dosing? With a lot of co2 and high light. By the way, how do you measure out 0.5 ppm of potassium to dose after the potassium source has run out on my 10 gallon? Thanks Aaron!

http://www.geocities.com/william_ung/DSC01528.JPG

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

Awesome article Aaron, guess my hopes arent up when i got overwhelmed into planted tank. Especially the after math of setting one up, with the idea of dosing etc etc.........n the cost factor.

I definitely will give this method a try, with my low-tech setup hopefully it will provide some beneficial growth for some of the fauna in my tank. And not make some of look brown, or leaves that are curling.


Anyhooo few questions:

1. Dolomite ? Is this important to add during the initial setup ?

Reason i am asking i saw a reply in here, saying Out here in Ontario, Canada the water isnt acidic at all, just stays are neutral 7.6ppm


2. Through this method would be a good idea to vacuum the gravel or not ?


3. Would this method also create a form of anerobic state, at the wee bottom layer ?


4. How far down should the plants be put into the gravel for those that require too ?


Thanks In Advanced,
-Seb

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

Hi guys,
I now have a 20l tank set up to with top soil, white sand, I’ve followed every step of the guide and included a DIY Co2 system. It's been about a month and the riccia is starting to look good.
However, the GH and KH has increase substantially, it was so high that it fell of my chart from the test kit, could this be happening because I had put in too much dolomite or potassium? The water is also looking a little yellowish and the ammonia level is over 1.5.
I am planning to do a full water change today, any advice on this is appreciated as I am a noob at plant keeping.

:p

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

It could be the white sand adding hardness to your water. I always had relatively soft water at my old residence and never had issues with the soil raising the hardness substantially.

The ammonia will level out eventually. The yellowish water could be the start of a green water bloom. I've gone through a few of those and they eventually run their course once the tank settles in fully. A few more weeks and it should be well cycled.