Low tech aqua soil?

Quetzalcoatl · 05-07-2008, 11:14 PM

Im setting up just a small bowl, so I didnt want to go out and buy a bag of aquatic soil. Does anyone have some "recipe" for making some? What ratio of sand, silt, clay, and gravel will work best?

**erthlng** · 05-08-2008, 01:27 AM

Quetzalcoatl,

For a natural planted tank, I've had really good luck with using Scotts Premium Topsoil (no ferts added), with a thin layer of gravel or playground sand over the soil to keep it down.

I've got a 29g and 3 Nano tanks - 3g, 2g and a 1g all successfully using this substrate. I've also got a 125g tank with the same substrate, that does not have water in it yet, but is planted and will be filled with water, just as soon as the plants grow out a bit more.

05-07-2008, 11:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Quetzalcoatl Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 6	Low tech aqua soil? Im setting up just a small bowl, so I didnt want to go out and buy a bag of aquatic soil. Does anyone have some "recipe" for making some? What ratio of sand, silt, clay, and gravel will work best?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-08-2008, 01:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
erthlng Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Garden City, NY Posts: 122	Quetzalcoatl, For a natural planted tank, I've had really good luck with using Scotts Premium Topsoil (no ferts added), with a thin layer of gravel or playground sand over the soil to keep it down. I've got a 29g and 3 Nano tanks - 3g, 2g and a 1g all successfully using this substrate. I've also got a 125g tank with the same substrate, that does not have water in it yet, but is planted and will be filled with water, just as soon as the plants grow out a bit more.

Advertisements
Get Rid of Advertisements