Does anyone use this?

Ariel301 · 11-07-2009, 03:17 AM

I was looking through my potting soil and gardening collection earlier and found an unopened bag of 'Ironite' pelleted fertilizer for lawns. Intrigued, I read the label. Everything seemed like it might work ok in a planted tank. I did a search on here, and found a few topics on using it, but they're all years old. It seemed there were mixed results with it. I was wondering if anyone is currently using any of this as a substrate additive? (Soil substrates in particular, as that's what I've got.)

bradac56 · 11-07-2009, 05:22 AM

It's got terrestrial lawn fertilizer in it so unless you cap it really well with PFS/SMS/etc your going to end up with algae blooms whenever it touches the water column just like miracle gro. Personally I wouldn't use it it's cheaper to go get un-fertilized, non-pine bark/sand top-soil at a landscaping or orchard supply store for $5-8 a bag and use that if you want to go with a soil product (MTS or non-MTS).

- Brad

Ariel301 · 11-08-2009, 03:31 AM

I've already got a homemade soil substrate--it's potting soil and cat litter mixed together and then capped with a sand/fine gravel mix I got in my backyard. (I'm big on free stuff...I have no desire to pay for 'dirt' lol).

Was just wondering if this was a safe addition to that mix, since I'm in the process of re-doing my tank. Is there anything that would be poisonous to the fish? It would be buried really well, so no problems with it hitting the water column too much.

I like to experiment, so I just want to see what other people's experiences with this are. I've already got this stuff laying around, so if I could use that as a way to dose micros without having to go buy something else...I'd be very happy. (Money's a bit short right now for anything not necessary to my survival)

bradac56 · 11-08-2009, 05:10 AM

If you've made good cap's before then yes it would work well just don't break it.

- Brad

Ariel301 · 11-08-2009, 07:23 PM

Ok, I may just try it then. Thanks!

11-07-2009, 03:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ariel301 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kingman, Arizona Posts: 376	Does anyone use this? I was looking through my potting soil and gardening collection earlier and found an unopened bag of 'Ironite' pelleted fertilizer for lawns. Intrigued, I read the label. Everything seemed like it might work ok in a planted tank. I did a search on here, and found a few topics on using it, but they're all years old. It seemed there were mixed results with it. I was wondering if anyone is currently using any of this as a substrate additive? (Soil substrates in particular, as that's what I've got.)

11-07-2009, 05:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
bradac56 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Blue Springs, MO Posts: 673	It's got terrestrial lawn fertilizer in it so unless you cap it really well with PFS/SMS/etc your going to end up with algae blooms whenever it touches the water column just like miracle gro. Personally I wouldn't use it it's cheaper to go get un-fertilized, non-pine bark/sand top-soil at a landscaping or orchard supply store for $5-8 a bag and use that if you want to go with a soil product (MTS or non-MTS). - Brad __________________ Proud member of the Heart of America Aquarium Society and the International Betta Congress VICTOR PIMP #58 - VTS-253A-320 x2, VTS-253D-320.

11-08-2009, 05:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
bradac56 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Blue Springs, MO Posts: 673	If you've made good cap's before then yes it would work well just don't break it. - Brad __________________ Proud member of the Heart of America Aquarium Society and the International Betta Congress VICTOR PIMP #58 - VTS-253A-320 x2, VTS-253D-320.

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11-08-2009, 03:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ariel301 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kingman, Arizona Posts: 376	I've already got a homemade soil substrate--it's potting soil and cat litter mixed together and then capped with a sand/fine gravel mix I got in my backyard. (I'm big on free stuff...I have no desire to pay for 'dirt' lol). Was just wondering if this was a safe addition to that mix, since I'm in the process of re-doing my tank. Is there anything that would be poisonous to the fish? It would be buried really well, so no problems with it hitting the water column too much. I like to experiment, so I just want to see what other people's experiences with this are. I've already got this stuff laying around, so if I could use that as a way to dose micros without having to go buy something else...I'd be very happy. (Money's a bit short right now for anything not necessary to my survival)

11-08-2009, 07:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ariel301 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kingman, Arizona Posts: 376	Ok, I may just try it then. Thanks!

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