Mineralized Top Soil Substrate Kits *Price range on page 3*

[lauraleellbp]

Look at it this way, we're "advertizing" your intent! LOL

[Torpedobarb]

I currently have 120lbs of the soil in its first drying stage.. so I think by the end of next week the kits will be ready to go.

[Torpedobarb]

I am on my second washing cycle now.. getting there!

[Hoppy]

I'm doing my airing out of the topsoil I am mineralizing by laying it on a plastic leaf bag on my deck. I worry about all of the seeds blowing by and settling on it, or the birds trying to fertilize it for me. How do you do such a big mass of soil and not have that kind of concerns? I hate to even mention it, but do you have a cat or dog? (Sorry, I don't want to ruin your day.)

I should also add, that after doing this once or twice I can't imagine anyone thinking your price is too much to pay. It's kinda fun for awhile, but....

[lauraleellbp]

I've got the same worries, Hoppy. I've ended up having to dry mine on the back porch since it's fenced in even though it's shadowed much of the day and the soil isn't drying very well. In the front yard I know the neighborhood cats would make it their new litter box

[DataLifePlus]

I've been dealing with basically non-stop rain here for the past several days that has prevented me from drying my soil. Total bummer.

[Torpedobarb]

muwaaaa.. all the more reason to get it from me


it is 25 deg here so there is no drying it outside.. it has to be done indoors.. which is messy as you know. Especially 120lbs of it! I have a empty bedroom in my basement that I have a large fan and a heater going to boost the temp. it took 3 days to dry.

when I did mine this past summer.. it dried on a tarp in one day in direct sunlight.

[Torpedobarb]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

I'm doing my airing out of the topsoil I am mineralizing by laying it on a plastic leaf bag on my deck. I worry about all of the seeds blowing by and settling on it, or the birds trying to fertilize it for me. How do you do such a big mass of soil and not have that kind of concerns? I hate to even mention it, but do you have a cat or dog? (Sorry, I don't want to ruin your day.)

I should also add, that after doing this once or twice I can't imagine anyone thinking your price is too much to pay. It's kinda fun for awhile, but....

I agree with the price issue... it is first off hard for most to find the "correct" type of soil to begin. then finding the right kind of clay with no polymers, dolemite, and muriate of potash.

hell.. if someone had that available when I did it.. I would have been all over it. I can tell you that I have had a hard time myself finding the exact materials I need.

the clay.. Locale... really local

[talontsiawd]

Out of curisity, what would be the price range? Like said before, it would have to be competitive. I don't know that i would pay a large premium over what it would cost me to do it myself, others might, depending on what else is available. I also have AS locally, that might not "typical" but i'm sure i'm not the only one who has a LFS who carries it.

I am saying this both to help you maybe figure out prices and i am actually very interested in doing this myself as i need more substrate and i plan to do this soon. If it's worth saving the time, i'd be very interested, if i go this route, which the more i read, the more i like it.

[Torpedobarb]

if you have warmer temps and don't mind playing in the mud for about 2 weeks.. then go for it. finding the proper clay, dolomite, and muriate of potash is the harder part. You can find it.. but if you don't find someone who will sell you just what you need.. you will have to buy a bag of dolomite which the smallest I have seen is 25lbs when you only need a small baggie of it, same with the potash. the clay I think comes in 25lb bricks too.

all totaled up for me to about about 75.00+ shipped

so competitive wise.. aqua soil doesn't do the same thing as this.. you will still have to dose ferts. this you will never have to dose anything with the exception of phosphate after about 6mo to 1yr. very small doses.
I am not trying to compete with major substrate names or suppliers. I am just doing this for the people who don't want to mess with it because of the hassle of supplies and the mess it is doing it. so for those who want the results without the mess.. I think that my prices are extremely good. I know what a bag of dirt costs.. but my time is valuable too with 2 children and a hectic work schedule.

[Torpedobarb]

Here is what I have come up with.. and I feel it is a fair price.

55-90 gallon tanks 50.00 plus shipping
45 gallon tanks 40.00 plus shipping
20-30 gallon tanks 35.00
10 gallon 25.00 plus shipping

updated

[JDowns]

I'm sure I've posted this before. You can get all the additional materials very cheap if you look around. The materials are shipped powdered, so you are not paying for water weight.

http://www.marjonceramics.com/pages/products.html

Raw Materials for dolomite and potash.
Raw Clays for the clay of your choice.

All sold for less than $1.50 a pound per material. They will sell as little as 1 pound increments.

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by Torpedobarb

if you have warmer temps and don't mind playing in the mud for about 2 weeks.. then go for it. finding the proper clay, dolomite, and muriate of potash is the harder part. You can find it.. but if you don't find someone who will sell you just what you need.. you will have to buy a bag of dolomite which the smallest I have seen is 25lbs when you only need a small baggie of it, same with the potash. the clay I think comes in 25lb bricks too.

Oh, it's defineatly understandable man. I didn't know your prices until your last post, i was just saying what would be my personal things for consideration to hopefully help you better understand what some of your potential customers may expect.

I haven't priced things out so i don't know if i'll do it myself or go through you. I plan on doing in (if i do it) in late Dec. after i graduate college (finally lol)

[Torpedobarb]

I am not going to sell these kits since everyone can get it cheaper.. to the few people who asked already.. I will honor those.. after that.. sorry. it seems I am probably ripping off.

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by Torpedobarb

I am not going to sell these kits since everyone can get it cheaper.. to the few people who asked already.. I will honor those.. after that.. sorry. it seems I am probably ripping off.

What are you talking about? I don't see anything in this thread suggesting you are overcharging? (And I think JDowns was just offering someplace you may be able to get your supplies cheaper).

If people want to make their own they can always get it cheaper- but if you're putting in your own time and effort you should definitely charge for that. I think your prices are more than fair; I spent easily $300-400 just for substrate for my 90gal!!! And that was for Flourite and Colorquartz mix, which doesn't have nearly the nutrient content of mineralized soil.

If you don't want to bother, that's one thing- but IMO your prices are very fair.