55 gal adventures

[RianS]

Soil master select. If no one replies then ill sesch first thing in the morning where I read it.

[RianS]

Substrate http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums...d.php?t=168458

or you can just google aquariumplants.com substrate and you'll find forums talking about what it is and cheaper solutions to it.

[topfrog007]

If you have the time and patience I highly recommend Mineralized top soil. It's probably the cheapest option in regards to substrate, and many people think its comparable to the most expensive substrates.

There is a sticky on how to make it in the substrate section.

[JennaH]

hmm.. i thought the price for 6 gallons of the aquariumplant substrate wasn't bad (free shipping) i would like to use eco complete but it would be more i believe. can anyone suggest a cheaper black substrate?

i would love to used mts but i don't have a backyard (apartment) and couldn't imagine making it in my living room! haha

[bherren1]

i like eco-complete and flourite. flourite is kind of sharp though and the iron bits in it can stick to a magnetic glass cleaner and scratch your glass if you aren't careful. i have been looking at aquariumplant.com's substrate as well. i think it is probably just as good as eco or flourite if you use root tabs. + free shipping and a reusable bucket! if you are eco-conscious that beats 3-4 plastic bags that will have to go to recycling. not to mention it's cheaper than the alternatives. + not all areas carry SMS in garden centers...all the reviews i have found on here about aquariumplant.com's substrate never seem to get past the speculation that it is repackaged SMS. maybe i missed it but i don't think i came across a decent review of how plants were growing in it and how well it holds up over time. maybe someone will try and correct me and tell us their personal experiences with the product.....

FWIW, in my next tank i'm going to bite the bullet and go with $$$"wonder dirt"$$$ a.k.a. ADA aquasoil. bottom line, and i know you know this but, the substrate is one of those things that can make a break a good, functional and healthy aquascape. so you are right to be very careful in making this decision. what a PITA it would be to have to change out an unattractive or under-preforming substrate...good luck.

[hoa101]

Mineralized top soil can be made at home with minimum of fuss. That is what I plan when I eventually get my 90g. Why pay so much for ADA soil when you can pretty much make your own?

On the other hand, I do use flourite black right now, and my plants are glowing beautifully. You don't need aquasoil or equivalent to have great plants, it just helps.

[bherren1]

jenna's issue is that she lives in an apartment and doesn't want the mess of MTS there...
you could do it at your parent's house where you leak tested your tank and soaked your DW. or you could boil some miracle grow organic choice potting soil, not the garden soil though, to remove some of the tannins. it's what i used in my 16g as a nutritive base layer. substitute this for MTS. Sift it to remove the larger debris (bits of bark and small twigs) before you boil it. follow the rest of this MTS recipe. you may fore go dolomite if you like depending on the plant species you plant to keep and your area's water parameters. check your local water supply's home page for a quality report before relying on home testing, they are much more accurate because they have to be. cap it with PFS. if you want black sand use the more expensive fluorite black sand or black 3M color quartz sand. i would stay away from caribsea's black sand because it is fine and prone to compaction. you could go with the natural dark brown estes gravel as a cap as well. relatively cheap and has a dark chocolate color. this is like the walstad natural method.

my 16g actually blends what is IMO the best of diane walstad's methods, MTS, miracle gro organic choice potting soil MTS recipe, and the use of a eco-complete/fluorite/laterite mixture. my rooted plants in that tank love it so far.

if you did the substitute MTS recipe with PFS cap you would only be out about $30 for your whole substrate. if you have the money and don't like DIY sort of stuff or lack the means to do these type of projects go with the best you can buy. aquariumplants.com substrate + root tabs is probably your next cheapest option to completely cover your 55g. as long as it will sufficiently allow your plants optimal growth the substrate is really a personal choice of asthetics...read, read, READ. when you think you've read enough read one more post and then jump right in! good luck.