Miracle Grow Organic base, add anything???

868 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by wkndracer, Aug 30, 2012

BoxxerBoyDrew

Discussion Starter · Aug 30, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Fixing to finally set up my 40b I have had for a year+ sitting in the kitchen floor!:redface: I plan on using Miracle Grow Organic as the base, and was wondering if any one using the same would go back and add any mineral, clay, etc.. that the soil is lacking in the long run?

I still am planning on using Black Beauty blasting grit for cap, but Diana has listed some pool quartz to color pools when building, and there are plenty of pool builders in the area, so I might check with them first to see what they might have! Also the Oil absorbent STS from tractor supply looks pretty good too! I just worry it might be too light to hold certain plants down till rooted!

Anyway Thanks for any help!

roud:
Drew

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wkndracer

· #2 · Aug 30, 2012 (Edited)

Hey Drew, get it wet already! LOL
Answered many of your posted questions in my threads so I KNOW you have been gathering info for a while.
I've done 8 of these tanks trying different angles on the method.
The straight bag dump is lasting the longest. If it's smaller than a 2x4 leave it all in and cap it LOL

If you have powdered clay you could add some mixing it into the soil dry but honestly after jumping through hoops screening, wetting / drying, setting layers and yada yada just putting the potting mix in and capping it seems to do just as well as anything else I've tried.

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HighDesert

· #3 · Aug 30, 2012

Would you moisten the soil before putting it into the tank so you don't get the weird burpy bubbles that come from some substrates? I mean, obviously it needs to be capped with something heavy, but would wetting it eliminate the air bubbles that can occur when you fill the tank with water?

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BoxxerBoyDrew

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 30, 2012

THANKS RACER!!!

I KNOW it has been for ever since I got the darn thing, but every time I get the extra cash to set it up something pops up, and I need the $ for something else! Last month it was my Son's 4 wisdom teeth getting pulled and his 4Runner needing front bearings, brakes, shocks and front tires! So HOPEFULLY the next few weeks will see it filled FINALLY!!!

Thanks Again for the info Bud!!!
Drew

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wkndracer

· #5 · Aug 30, 2012

HighDesert said:
Would you moisten the soil before putting it into the tank so you don't get the weird burpy bubbles that come from some substrates? I mean, obviously it needs to be capped with something heavy, but would wetting it eliminate the air bubbles that can occur when you fill the tank with water?

Dry is less mess. (hint: lots of set up info in my dirt tank journals :smile

Dirt it, cap it, add about 4" of water to the tank and press the palm of your hand down pressing down on the soil/cap, pat, pat, pat and the majority of the air is released. Plant the rooted stuff and fillerup!

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