I used generic peat & compost soil under gravel. I believe you want soil with no vermiculite or perlite. Look up Diana Walstad method.
Aquatic Soil
1 - 20 of 40 Posts
Another thing you need to understand is you need to do certain things correctly in this hobby or you will regret it in the long run. This hobby of ours isn't cheap and if its too expensive to do things correctly you probably should wonder why you're doing a planted 91 gallon:icon_roll (Granted I understand wanting to go cheaper on the substrate, and have made this mistake twice before, regretting it thoroughly both times...)
You could do a couple things to save some on substrate though, with the above being said.
Inert non-specialized substrates are cheaper, but will require good fertilization to keep plants nice and healthy. Some common ones are sand, and pea sized grave. Soilmaster select is a newer option people have tried with good results as you can get a 50lb bag for around $20-$30.
But if you want to go with a "natural planted aquarium" You need to get Diana Walstand's book. I got it for Christmas and so far its great. I would recommend reading that a few times before playing with dirt in the aquarium
Lastly, If you want to go with a planted substrate they are worth it. The initial price is hefty in the beginning but you won't regret it overall. If you're going to want to try and stretch them with mixing In my opinion you should just go with another option because they're best used by themselves.
For my 55g I mixed gravel and Florabase, needless to say I'll be ordering some ADA AS in the coming months to replace the substrate in my tank:icon_roll .
-Andrew
Edit: Get it now, on sale!:thumbsup:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/09...TF8&coliid=I32YXO2CM86TQR&colid=135H748T7HX9T
You could do a couple things to save some on substrate though, with the above being said.
Inert non-specialized substrates are cheaper, but will require good fertilization to keep plants nice and healthy. Some common ones are sand, and pea sized grave. Soilmaster select is a newer option people have tried with good results as you can get a 50lb bag for around $20-$30.
But if you want to go with a "natural planted aquarium" You need to get Diana Walstand's book. I got it for Christmas and so far its great. I would recommend reading that a few times before playing with dirt in the aquarium
Lastly, If you want to go with a planted substrate they are worth it. The initial price is hefty in the beginning but you won't regret it overall. If you're going to want to try and stretch them with mixing In my opinion you should just go with another option because they're best used by themselves.
For my 55g I mixed gravel and Florabase, needless to say I'll be ordering some ADA AS in the coming months to replace the substrate in my tank:icon_roll .
-Andrew
Edit: Get it now, on sale!:thumbsup:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/09...TF8&coliid=I32YXO2CM86TQR&colid=135H748T7HX9T
Fish Newb: Harsh man. We live in Canada where almost everything is more expensive. One 20lb bag of Eco-Complete is CAD$34.99! At bigalsonline.com, it's only US$17.99. Even if I were to purchase it from bigalsonline, there would be the shipping costs, taxes and huge handling fees from Fedex of over CAD$50.00.
We have ordered 4 bags of Eco-Complete from our local BAs which totals 139.96 + 6% GST + 7% PST. It's not a matter of money really, it's a matter of feeling like I'm being ripped off!
So, I'll have 80lbs of Eco-Complete for a 91 gallon tank. Caribsea recommends 2lbs per gallon = 182lbs!
BTW, the reason why my husband purchased this tank is because it was on sale and the floor model so we saved about $400.00.
I've looked around for Soilmaster here in Canada and haven't been able to find it yet. *sigh*
At least we have health care
We have ordered 4 bags of Eco-Complete from our local BAs which totals 139.96 + 6% GST + 7% PST. It's not a matter of money really, it's a matter of feeling like I'm being ripped off!
So, I'll have 80lbs of Eco-Complete for a 91 gallon tank. Caribsea recommends 2lbs per gallon = 182lbs!
BTW, the reason why my husband purchased this tank is because it was on sale and the floor model so we saved about $400.00.
I've looked around for Soilmaster here in Canada and haven't been able to find it yet. *sigh*
At least we have health care
Another thing you need to understand is you need to do certain things correctly in this hobby or you will regret it in the long run. This hobby of ours isn't cheap and if its too expensive to do things correctly you probably should wonder why you're doing a planted 91 gallon:icon_roll (Granted I understand wanting to go cheaper on the substrate, and have made this mistake twice before, regretting it thoroughly both times...)
You could do a couple things to save some on substrate though, with the above being said.
Inert non-specialized substrates are cheaper, but will require good fertilization to keep plants nice and healthy. Some common ones are sand, and pea sized grave. Soilmaster select is a newer option people have tried with good results as you can get a 50lb bag for around $20-$30.
But if you want to go with a "natural planted aquarium" You need to get Diana Walstand's book. I got it for Christmas and so far its great. I would recommend reading that a few times before playing with dirt in the aquarium
Lastly, If you want to go with a planted substrate they are worth it. The initial price is hefty in the beginning but you won't regret it overall. If you're going to want to try and stretch them with mixing In my opinion you should just go with another option because they're best used by themselves.
For my 55g I mixed gravel and Florabase, needless to say I'll be ordering some ADA AS in the coming months to replace the substrate in my tank:icon_roll .
-Andrew
Edit: Get it now, on sale!:thumbsup:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/09...TF8&coliid=I32YXO2CM86TQR&colid=135H748T7HX9T
Well I know its harsh sorry but I don't want people like you making the same mistakes and regretting them like I did for two years now:icon_rollFish Newb: Harsh man. We live in Canada where almost everything is more expensive. One 20lb bag of Eco-Complete is CAD$34.99! At bigalsonline.com, it's only US$17.99. Even if I were to purchase it from bigalsonline, there would be the shipping costs, taxes and huge handling fees from Fedex of over CAD$50.00.
At least we have health care
Maybe if you offer to pay USD you can get a discount :hihi:
At least you have health care... But IMO I hope that doesn't happen here... (Lets not get off topic though :hihi: )
-Andrew
Thanks Andrew, I appreciate your comment I have been following your adventures and look forward to updates!
The Canadian dollar is pretty much on par with the American dollar so offering to pay in US dollars wouldn't make much difference. It's the shipping that really kills and the added fees. Fair trade ain't so fair but I digress...
Cheers,
I have been following your adventures and look forward to updates!The Canadian dollar is pretty much on par with the American dollar so offering to pay in US dollars wouldn't make much difference. It's the shipping that really kills and the added fees. Fair trade ain't so fair but I digress...
Cheers,
If you ever need my comments just let me knowThanks Andrew, I appreciate your comment
The Canadian dollar is pretty much on par with the American dollar so offering to pay in US dollars wouldn't make much difference. It's the shipping that really kills and the added fees. Fair trade ain't so fair but I digress...
Cheers,
lol I'll keep them somewhat updated for you, lack of pictures is never good but with a lack of good photography equipment... :frown: I wanted to make sure you understood why I was harsh, it was more me kicking myself and letting you know you'll do the same if you cheap out on something thats as important as substrate.
Last I checked, and this was at least a couple months ago it was something like 1 usd = 1.3 CD. The US dollar has been falling so It wouldn't surprise me if they are about even again:icon_neut
Shipping as we all seem to know around here, is an expensive pita. :hihi:
-Andrew
Edit:
Buy Diana's book, or see if your library has it. Its Wonderful, a bit over my head at some points like the allellopathy (spelling/!?!?!?) but very interesting information!
1 - 20 of 40 Posts
