Frozen mud balls, any experience?

tlyons01 · 06-27-2012, 12:37 PM

I was using only PFS, then I converted 2 of my tanks to MTS capped with PFS. I'm now about to set up a 55 gallon and am going with just PFS. The dirt is way to messy and I moved things around more than I anticipated I would. I am thinking about making mud balls with some of the MTS and adding some clay to them, freezing them and using those in the areas where I have heavy root feeders. I haven't used this method before, but I have heard of frozen mud balls and I thought the addition of the clay would keep it together in the water. Am I living in a dream world thinking this will actually work?
Also, I have some dolomite and potash left over from the previous conversions, are those things that I should only have in the dirt or is there a benefit to adding them in capsules under the sand near roots?
Other than the standard root tabs or osmocote tabs, any suggestions?

In.a.Box · 06-27-2012, 05:18 PM

No need to, use gel capsule.
Fill the baby up with mts and use it where ur root plant need them.

tlyons01 · 06-27-2012, 05:29 PM

good to know, thanks!

talontsiawd · 06-27-2012, 06:18 PM

I tried this but its hard to get enough water around the soil to where it doesn't break up at all, assuming your tank is filled. If you drained it, it would be even easier.

I would say gel caps would be better for 2 reasons. First, you know it's going to stay in the gel cap while you push it in. Second, it will be easier to put small amounts in. It's hard to make really small amounts of frozen soil and still have it keep together.

You can even buy this now, not endorsing the product or anything, never used it, just thought it was interesting that it took so long to be sold- http://plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=170935

tlyons01 · 06-27-2012, 10:44 PM

where are the gel caps for sale? I am sure I can find it but I haven't had time to look yet. I will be draining a tank that has soil in it now, so I thought it wouldn't be too hard to make a ball, but I haven't tried it and I am wrong most of the time, so I think, as you suggested, the capsules would be more suited

06-27-2012, 12:37 PM	#1
tlyons01 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 675	Frozen mud balls, any experience? I was using only PFS, then I converted 2 of my tanks to MTS capped with PFS. I'm now about to set up a 55 gallon and am going with just PFS. The dirt is way to messy and I moved things around more than I anticipated I would. I am thinking about making mud balls with some of the MTS and adding some clay to them, freezing them and using those in the areas where I have heavy root feeders. I haven't used this method before, but I have heard of frozen mud balls and I thought the addition of the clay would keep it together in the water. Am I living in a dream world thinking this will actually work? Also, I have some dolomite and potash left over from the previous conversions, are those things that I should only have in the dirt or is there a benefit to adding them in capsules under the sand near roots? Other than the standard root tabs or osmocote tabs, any suggestions? __________________ totally obsessed 46 G bowfront Fraternity of Dirt #75 ~~Mud Pies~20 gallon~~

06-27-2012, 05:29 PM	#3
tlyons01 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 675	good to know, thanks! __________________ totally obsessed 46 G bowfront Fraternity of Dirt #75 ~~Mud Pies~20 gallon~~

06-27-2012, 06:18 PM	#4
talontsiawd Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 2,406	I tried this but its hard to get enough water around the soil to where it doesn't break up at all, assuming your tank is filled. If you drained it, it would be even easier. I would say gel caps would be better for 2 reasons. First, you know it's going to stay in the gel cap while you push it in. Second, it will be easier to put small amounts in. It's hard to make really small amounts of frozen soil and still have it keep together. You can even buy this now, not endorsing the product or anything, never used it, just thought it was interesting that it took so long to be sold- http://plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=170935 __________________ -Matt Eheim Pimp Club # 382 The Fraternity of Dirt #53 13 Stones Journal 6 Gallon Betta Tank

06-27-2012, 10:44 PM	#5
tlyons01 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 675	where are the gel caps for sale? I am sure I can find it but I haven't had time to look yet. I will be draining a tank that has soil in it now, so I thought it wouldn't be too hard to make a ball, but I haven't tried it and I am wrong most of the time, so I think, as you suggested, the capsules would be more suited __________________ totally obsessed 46 G bowfront Fraternity of Dirt #75 ~~Mud Pies~20 gallon~~

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06-27-2012, 05:18 PM	#2
In.a.Box Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,119	No need to, use gel capsule. Fill the baby up with mts and use it where ur root plant need them.