[jesstray]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/substrate/47555-soilmaster-2.html

take a look at this members heartache over not rinsing. I think it is worth it.

I agree. I spent 5 hours cleaning 1 1/2 bags of SMS in Atlanta heat. I feel that it was worth it. That stuff is very dirty and even with all my cleaning the water still becomes cloudy. There is no way I would add that stuff directly to my tank w/o prerinsing it first.

 

[jesstray]

IMHO rinsing is a total waste of time. I have now done two tank setups with Soilmaster Select - it was a pleasure not having to rinse - all you need to do is put it in your tank and ADD WATER CAREFULLY WITHOUT STIRRING UP THE SUBSTRATE.

How? Place a plate on the substrate and pour water gently onto the plate. Then use a micron filter (like Magnum 350 with a micron cartridge) to accelerate clearing the water column or just let your regular canister filter do the work. You can add some micron filter pads to your canister filter, just be sure to take out the bad after a day or so when you are done so as not to stop up your filter.

Both tanks cleared for me overnight. Water was crystal clear in AM.

But, doesn't it get cloudy again whenever you plant or stirup the substrate?

 

[jesstray]

Aside from debates on whether or not to rinse it for dust, this stuff has super high CEC and each pellet seems to hold enough air for me to live off of for a day (lol). It does get alittle heavier after absorbing water, so I rinse for that purpose. I soaked mine for an hour or so and the tank still rained air bubbles for two days. You can put your ear to the glass and hear it hisssss.

I agree. Rinsing it seems to have also paid off. Once I filled my tank the water did not cloud at all, I simply filled it slowly using my python.

 

[jesstray]

. It is really light at first but after a few weeks it takes on water, dirt, etc and then becomes a real pleasure to plant in.

I am really glad to hear that, cause I am having a heck of a time trying to keep my plants down. But it's only been filled for less than a week.