How much dirt to use in a dirted tank?

.5 cubic feet should give you almost 1" of dirt.

What are you using for dirt?
Are you sifting crap and wood chips out of a commercial product?
If so you may find almost half to be waste.

Maryland Guppy said:

.5 cubic feet should give you almost 1" of dirt.

What are you using for dirt?
Are you sifting crap and wood chips out of a commercial product?
If so you may find almost half to be waste.

Click to expand...

Yes I am sifting it, I am using organic miracle grow, the bag says it is 1.5 cu ft.

On average 1" depth in an HD/Drywall bucket is about 91.75 cu.in.

Your tank @ 48x20 to achieve 1" of soil would need 960 cu.in.

960/91.75=10.46, so about 10.5 in of finished wetted soil in a bucket.

I'd quit sifting, just place in water and net out everything that floats.

I don't see any reason to sift it.I just lay it down,moisten it so it'll pack down a little,then put on the sand cap.The composted wood in it will provide nutrients later as it breaks down.

I've seen it recommended to go 1 1/2" deep with it,so it will last the longest.I would think two 9 liter bags would be enough to do a 75.

As long as you just barley moisten it while putting it in,and carefully fill ( I like to use a plate) you shouldn't see much for floating bits.