Mineralized Top Soil Substrate *Pics Updated 12/14 page 1*

[SCMurphy]

Originally Posted by walluby

Hey there!

I have put mineralized soil in my 60 gallon and have
planted with crypts, anubias, and assorted stem plants.
It has been up and running for about 2-3 months. Plants
are doing O.K. I have a fluval 404 running. But,I have this
brown dust that forms on my leaves and on my
driftwood. I can brush it off and siphon it with wc's.
But I want to know what is causing it and can I get
rid of it somehow. Will this go away when the
tank becomes more aged and balanced. Also my
setup is with low light no Co2. I can set up Co2
if that is the solution. I also dose Excel.

Thanks,

Jeff

The brown dust is diatoms, usually caused by low light levels. Oto cats love them, if you can fit them into your population get a couple. CO2 seems to benefit all planted tanks. You can run tanks without it, I do, but you will like the results if you add it.

[SCMurphy]

Originally Posted by gdcox76

I have a question regarding Nitrate and phosphate readings in a tank with Mineralized soil. I have tested repeatedly since my cycle completed and both are at "0" and I expect will stay that way with no addition of ferts. Is this normal? Should I be concerned?

What kind of plants are in the tank? How do they look?

[daverockssocks]

I changed over my 55g rainbow tank on Saturday (fish are living in a 54g rubbermaid tub now) how long should I let things go before adding the fish back?

Ammonia is reading 0 and Nitrates are showing a little less than 10 ppm, which is the average for all my tanks pretty much. I reused the flourite that had been in the tank for 2 years. It never got dried out and I transitioned in about an hour so I think the bacteria in the flourite is still viable.

Right now the tank is circulating with a 120gph AQ powerhead and a 300gph QuietOne pump powering my 10watt UV sterilzer. I'd like to get my XP3 back on the tank but I have to keep it on the the livestock tub.

[SCMurphy]

If the ammonia is reading 0 you should be good to go. I'm assuming you have the tank planted already.

[khanzer22]

Hi,

Been hearing/reading good reviews about mineralizing topsoil so I'm pumped to do this on my 120gal tank...

Though brand-wise, has anybody tried Coast of Maine Monhegan Blend Black Earth Topsoil??? Distributor/Supplier of Nature's Pride covers only up to NJ and I'm from CT...

link here: coastofmaineDOTcom/soils-monheganDOTshtml


Thanks in advance!

[bradac56]

That says it's pine bark and sand I'm not sure if I would use it personally the last time I did a MTS setup I used non-ferted top-soil (no pine bark or sand just plane dirt). I've used the pine bark stuff before and it's never turned out well for me.

Plus you'll be able to find it cheap locally at landscaping or orchard supply stores.

- Brad

[khanzer22]

Thanks for the quick response Brad...

What topsoil brand name do you recommend aside from Nature's Pride? What did you use?

I'll probably visit some garden center/stores around my area after work...

[bradac56]

The brand really doesn't matter as long as it says "non-fertilized" and isn't pine bark and sand.

- Brad

[khanzer22]

Got it... Will turn all garden stores here upside down to find one... Most probably will get it from here http://www.dirtguytopsoil.com/topsoil_for_sale.htm... A few miles drive won't hurt...

Thanks again...

[SCMurphy]

The recommendation to use top soil is because it is the closest soil to being mineralized available, and the least likely to have chemical additions. You can start with any organic potting type soil you want (except that pine bark/sand combo), it will just take longer to mineralize it. If you use a potting soil or 'improved' top soil, it is best to soak and change the water a couple times before you start the mineralization process to make sure to wash away possible pesticides and herbicides. After that, it is the same routine, wet and dry until the soil smells clean and not like rotting vegetation when you wet it.

[khanzer22]

Just returned home from my trip all around neighboring towns and had no luck finding the right topsoil to mineralize... Most gardent centers either stopped selling or they have hybrids (either with fert/peat/vermiculite in it)... Really hard to find this time in the Northeast area... I phoned the dirt guy dude and he asked me to call him back on Wednesday to check if they're gonna make some more of their topsoils (sigh...)...

Does anyone here selling the minerlaized soil? I'm interested on acquiring a few lbs for my 120gal tank...

[sewingalot]

Okay, I have been researching Sean's mineralized soil for a while now and decided to set up a 2.5 gallon with mineralized and see how it goes. I bought some a while back already made, but my cat thought it was litter...... Anyway, I bought this type and as I was filling up the bucket with water, something caught my eye. I just paid 1.39 for something in my area!

[daverockssocks]

My tank has been up for 9 days now:


I'm very happy so far.

[sewingalot]

So I have a question. Should I screen the soil each time it goes through it's drying phase or just when it is ready for the tank?

[lauraleellbp]

I screened mine several times just b/c each time I pulled out more twigs & bark.