Are these ok as a subsrate?

11089 Views 30 Replies 13 Participants Last post by BettaBettas, Apr 6, 2017

BettaBettas

Discussion Starter · Feb 18, 2017 (Edited)

2

So guess what, im going to try going dirted... I know big step from sand and fertz...
So I got some of miracle grow products, wanted to double check to see if I can use these as a dirt substrate, I looked at the ingredients and im pretty sure everything in them is safe..

But this one ^ has a water thing in them, is that ok? says it absorbs and releases water easier...?

These will also be capped with sand/black diamond if they Are ok... Also I think the second (last) picture is the one that's not safe, seeing as it says its not organic...?

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maxhrbal

· #2 · Feb 19, 2017

Perlite? The white stuff? If so, I think it's safe. Not 100% certain though.

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BettaBettas

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 19, 2017

maxhrbal said:
Perlite? The white stuff? If so, I think it's safe. Not 100% certain though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

perlite is equivalent to sand, so I think that should be ok as well, have to agree with you on that one. hoping someone who has used this has the in depth ok / not ok:help:

geisterwald

· #4 · Feb 19, 2017

The second one isn't organic, not a good idea. The one that specifies organic seems to be OK, if you search the name there's some other threads on it already and it seems to be about the same as any other organic soil.

Don't forget that any potting soil will leach ammonia.

Reactions: 2

MtAnimals

· #5 · Feb 19, 2017

I think you want the miracle gro organic choice potting mix.It comes in an orange bag.That's what I have.

https://www.hardwareonlinestore.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/362876.jpg

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BettaBettas

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 19, 2017

geisterwald said:
The second one isn't organic, not a good idea. The one that specifies organic seems to be OK, if you search the name there's some other threads on it already and it seems to be about the same as any other organic soil.

Don't forget that any potting soil will leach ammonia.

Didn't know that, thank you for telling me :thumbsup:

MtAnimals said:
I think you want the miracle gro organic choice potting mix.It comes in an orange bag.That's what I have.

https://www.hardwareonlinestore.com/images/stories/virtuemart/product/362876.jpg

I didn't see that at Home Depot, will have to try lowes I guess... The stuff in the green bag is ok though to I guess, so that's what I will go with

.

So in conclusion next time get the one that says Organic, on anything.. Thanks everyone! :nerd:

MtAnimals

· #7 · Feb 19, 2017

BettaBettas said:
Didn't know that, thank you for telling me :thumbsup:

I didn't see that at Home Depot, will have to try lowes I guess... The stuff in the green bag is ok though to I guess, so that's what I will go with .

So in conclusion next time get the one that says Organic, on anything.. Thanks everyone! :nerd:

lowes and home depot here don't carry it,I found it at Tractor Supply company,same place as BDBS.

Also,I am trying dirt for the first time in a Nuvo 10 gallon,just set it up the other day,my journal is here :

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/1130058-nuvo-10-first-dirted-tank.html

BettaBettas

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 19, 2017

MtAnimals said:
lowes and home depot here don't carry it,I found it at Tractor Supply company,same place as BDBS.

Also,I am trying dirt for the first time in a Nuvo 10 gallon,just set it up the other day,my journal is here :

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/1130058-nuvo-10-first-dirted-tank.html

Haha, yea I saw lookin' good!

Kubla

· #9 · Feb 19, 2017

BettaBettas said:
perlite is equivalent to sand, so I think that should be ok as well, have to agree with you on that one. hoping someone who has used this has the in depth ok / not ok:help:

Although perlite is made of the same stuff as some sand I don't see how it's equivalant. First off it's nearly as bouyant as styrofoam!

The Nature's Care green bag has something added for water retention. Do you have any idea what it is? There's another recent thread about using soil with water retention additives and the overall response was don't do it. I sure wouldn't dump it in my tank not knowing what it is.

Bananableps

· #10 · Feb 19, 2017

Can you post some close up pics of the ingredients on the back? I too am worried about the "water retention" additive.

Perlite is okay, but very buoyant and irritating.

BettaBettas

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 19, 2017

2

Bananableps said:
Can you post some close up pics of the ingredients on the back? I too am worried about the "water retention" additive.

Perlite is okay, but very buoyant and irritating.

Idk why the pics are sideways :frown2: sorry if that causes an irritation, I don't blame you lol

These pics are of the "useable" green organic miracle grow (so they say)

Bump:

Kubla said:
I sure wouldn't dump it in my tank not knowing what it is.

That's why im asking :nerd:

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GrampsGrunge

· #12 · Feb 19, 2017

I used SpeedCoat Paver Setting Sand on my 20H that had what the bag called 'extra silicates' with a warning it might be an irritant. I really thoroughly washed the cloudy brown stuff out of it. In other paver sand mixes I've seen, have what is called 'polymers' and I'd definitely avoid anything with polymer based water retainers.

bbroush

· #13 · Feb 19, 2017

BettaBettas said:
Idk why the pics are sideways :frown2: sorry if that causes an irritation, I don't blame you lol

These pics are of the "useable" green organic miracle grow (so they say)

Bump:
That's why im asking :nerd:

TBH it sounds like the same thing as MGOCPM with the addition of some calcium and peat moss. It doesn't sound bad to me.

GrampsGrunge

· #14 · Feb 19, 2017

I'm not sure I'm completely comfortable with composted chicken litter in the ingredients list. It's why I'm going to keep doing mineralised subsoil for any future tanks.

Bananableps

· #15 · Feb 19, 2017

BettaBettas said:
pics

Yeah looks like the water retention is just from peat moss. I generally avoid peat-based soils because it's not a very environmentally friendly resource, it is wasted in aquariums (where you do not need water retention), and it can severely drive down your PH.

Your snails might dissolve, but otherwise it should be fine as long as you are careful about which fish you add.

GrampsGrunge's concern about the chicken litter is a good point, too. Might want to put some of this in a jararium capped with sand, then do some water tests over the course of a week or two. Check for ammonia, check for nitrates, check for PH.

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BettaBettas

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 19, 2017

Bananableps said:
Yeah looks like the water retention is just from peat moss. I generally avoid peat-based soils because it's not a very environmentally friendly resource, it is wasted in aquariums (where you do not need water retention), and it can severely drive down your PH.

Your snails might dissolve, but otherwise it should be fine as long as you are careful about which fish you add.

GrampsGrunge's concern about the chicken litter is a good point, too. Might want to put some of this in a jararium capped with sand, then do some water tests over the course of a week or two. Check for ammonia, check for nitrates, check for PH.

I think what ill do, since this has some side-effects. is ill go back to lowes one of these days and get some miracle grow organic potting soil, since I know many people have successfully used that without failure, just a confidence booster... ill throw this stuff into my greenhouse

Reactions: 1

cooledwhip

· #17 · Feb 24, 2017

Neither of them are... I've dirted many tanks before you should have come to me before asking about this.

Miracle Grow Organic Choice is the ONLY way to go.

BettaBettas

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 26, 2017

cooledwhip said:
Neither of them are... I've dirted many tanks before you should have come to me before asking about this.

Miracle Grow Organic Choice is the ONLY way to go.

Thank God I came back to look at this

cooledwhip

· #19 · Mar 26, 2017

BettaBettas said:
Thank God I came back to look at this

yes miracle grow organic choice is the only route. I'm sure you can find some other natural ones but it's not worth looking as miracle grow organic choice is the easiest available option. Make sure to sift out some of the woodchips and stuff. I usually do one handful sifted dirt, one handful regular dirt. You don't want ALL the woodchips gone.

That fish guy

· #20 · Mar 26, 2017

Donot worry this will be absolutely safe provided that it is capped with something like sand.
The water retention thing is not active when it is completely sumerged in water.
It only works in drier environments.
Go ahead with confidence

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