New tank Potting soil help
Hi all,
I read somewhere people were using Miracle Grow potting soil. I liked the idea of using soil and so last night I went ahead and covered my tank with potting soil and added water and now the water is very thick with potting soil floating everywhere. I don't know how to get the potting soil to stay at the bottom. Please help!
I read somewhere people were using Miracle Grow potting soil. I liked the idea of using soil and so last night I went ahead and covered my tank with potting soil and added water and now the water is very thick with potting soil floating everywhere. I don't know how to get the potting soil to stay at the bottom. Please help!
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
oops! If im reading right you just added potting soil on top of your substrate? It needs to be "capped" with something. before you put the water in you need to put sand/gravel etc on top of it to keep it in place.
Also there are very few types of potting soil that are generally accepted as safe for aquarium use with live animals. Miracle grow organic choice potting mix is the most common I beleive.
If you did just add it on top, youll probably have to drain and empty it all out...
Also there are very few types of potting soil that are generally accepted as safe for aquarium use with live animals. Miracle grow organic choice potting mix is the most common I beleive.
If you did just add it on top, youll probably have to drain and empty it all out...
You are supposed to use a "cap". Something like pool filter sand, black diamond blasting grit, eco complete, flourite. Basically another "regular" substrate on top to hold the dirt in.
Edit...posted at the same time. And as to the soil. Unless something has changed, I'm pretty sure it was Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting Mix not Soil
Edit...posted at the same time. And as to the soil. Unless something has changed, I'm pretty sure it was Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting Mix not Soil
Miracle Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix
1.5 to 2" placed in the tank dry, press the palm of your hand down with firm pressure and measure.
I don't use round pea gravel or river gravel sold for aquariums as it doesn't hold the soil well. 1 to 1.5" of capping material. Flourite, oil dry or sand is my opinion of what works best.
Just a couple of my setup threads for you,, if you care for a peak.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86457
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=131940
1.5 to 2" placed in the tank dry, press the palm of your hand down with firm pressure and measure.
I don't use round pea gravel or river gravel sold for aquariums as it doesn't hold the soil well. 1 to 1.5" of capping material. Flourite, oil dry or sand is my opinion of what works best.
Just a couple of my setup threads for you,, if you care for a peak.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86457
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=131940
Dude, Really?...I read somewhere people were using Miracle Grow potting soil. I liked the idea of using soil and so last night I went ahead and covered my tank with potting soil and added water and now the water is very thick with potting soil floating everywhere. ....
You just read the part about the Dirt? Then dumped dirt in your tank?? :icon_eek: :icon_eek:
Maybe you might want to rethink Aquariums as a hobby and maybe try something easier like say, LEGOs
Your snark always makes me chuckle.Dude, Really?
You just read the part about the Dirt? Then dumped dirt in your tank?? :icon_eek: :icon_eek:
Maybe you might want to rethink Aquariums as a hobby and maybe try something easier like say, LEGOs
Just go to Petsmart and get Fluorite or EcoComplete. I would recommend AquaSoil really. 
DOGFISH!!! You made me spill my coffee:hihi::hihi::hihi:
I also skimmed the largest/floatiest of the debris off in 5gal buckets before I added dirt to my tank.
From here I'd suggest:
1. Skim off all of the stuff that's staying floating
2. Drain the tank down as far as you can get it
3. Make a trench around the perimeter and drain some more
4. Wait half an hour and then drain some more
5. If you're going to use sand to cap, wash it ahead of time, to try to get as much of the stuff that will hang up in your water column out of it as you can
5. Cap the dirt off with sand/florite/etc.
6. Fill carefully to make sure you don't disturb the substrate
7. Do daily 75% water changes for about a week to get the majority of the stuff that suspends in the water out via water changes
8. Expect to wait another month or two before the water looks "crystal clear" - it took a while in my dirt/sand tank.
From here I'd suggest:
1. Skim off all of the stuff that's staying floating
2. Drain the tank down as far as you can get it
3. Make a trench around the perimeter and drain some more
4. Wait half an hour and then drain some more
5. If you're going to use sand to cap, wash it ahead of time, to try to get as much of the stuff that will hang up in your water column out of it as you can
5. Cap the dirt off with sand/florite/etc.
6. Fill carefully to make sure you don't disturb the substrate
7. Do daily 75% water changes for about a week to get the majority of the stuff that suspends in the water out via water changes
8. Expect to wait another month or two before the water looks "crystal clear" - it took a while in my dirt/sand tank.
If it is not capped yet, then it is not to late to mix in the clay.
Just make marble sized balls and shove them in to the dirt to make a even grid across the bottom.
But seriously I would suggest more reading into a dirted/planted tank.
Just make marble sized balls and shove them in to the dirt to make a even grid across the bottom.
But seriously I would suggest more reading into a dirted/planted tank.
haha, man that picture made me laugh.
You probably should've done a little research first.
If I were you i'd dump it out on sheet of some sort and let it dry out in the sun.
Its going to be a real pain trying to cap it when its that wet.
You probably should've done a little research first.
If I were you i'd dump it out on sheet of some sort and let it dry out in the sun.
Its going to be a real pain trying to cap it when its that wet.
I dare to dream that you will soon be an expert of soil/substrate for planted aquarium! No way of fixing the current situation, and it would be better to start all over from the scratch, and do one by one slowly.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
oh, my.
I think you need to do some reading
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=152027
I think you need to do some reading
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=152027
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
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