Cheaper Alternatives to Diamond Black

[nealf_2000]

Just to let everyone know that I have identified to cheaper alternatives to Diamond Black. I will be trying out Rich Earth over the next few months.

1) Earth Green Menefee Humate
http://www.earthgreen.com/story.html#humate
- $28 for a 50lb bag plus shipping
http://www.7springsfarm.com/catalog.html#menefee

2) Rich Earth
locally available in my local garden center ($13 for 5 lbs)
http://www.richearth.net/frequently_asked_questions.php

[nealf_2000]

I've tried Rich Earth in a 5 gallon Hex aquarium over the weekend and I got an immediate ammonia spike. Cross this one off my list for aquariums. I don't know if "humate shale" contains ammonium, or if the manufacturer added ammonium humate to the product without stating so on the packing.

Originally Posted by nealf_2000

Just to let everyone know that I have identified to cheaper alternatives to Diamond Black. I will be trying out Rich Earth over the next few months.

1) Earth Green Menefee Humate
http://www.earthgreen.com/story.html#humate
- $28 for a 50lb bag plus shipping
http://www.7springsfarm.com/catalog.html#menefee

2) Rich Earth
locally available in my local garden center ($13 for 5 lbs)
http://www.richearth.net/frequently_asked_questions.php

[nealf_2000]

Well I just received a sample of Menefee Humate. My initial impression is very favorable. The particle size is perfect, in the 1 to 2mm range with very little dust (unlike Rich Earth). The grains are very stable in water. I will shake and soak a small quantity in water and test some basic water quality parameters on the supernatant over the next few days. I will also try the Menefee as a bottom substrate layer ala Tom Barr over the coming weekend.

http://www.barrreport.com/articles/4...2-methods.html

The image shows Shultz Aquatic Soil on the left and Menefee Humate on the right.

[Mori]

I like the looks of that...don't forget to let us now how it works!