Dirt?

[1xalpha]

I don't want to spend a fortune so I was wondering... could i use dirt from outside or lake sand or something? If I could use how should i go about cleaning it?

 

[lipadj46]

You can get 50 lb bags of pool filter sand for under $10, not sure why you would want to mess with anything else unless you are trying to grow plants or something.

 

[1xalpha]

i am trying to grow plants and i dont need THAT much plus i want to use DIRT not sand

 

[lipadj46]

i am trying to grow plants and i dont need THAT much plus i want to use DIRT not sand

You can use dirt but you will still need to cap it with sand or gravel. Most people who use dirt mineralize the dirt first so as to reduce the ammonia spike you will get

 

[1xalpha]

You can use dirt but you will still need to cap it with sand or gravel. Most people who use dirt mineralize the dirt first so as to reduce the ammonia spike you will get

what exactly is mineralizing?

 

[jandb]

I mixed top soil with vermiculite, added osmacote and sealed it with a layer of play sand. I put a layer of laterite over it, sealed with play sand and topped it with a mixture of pea gravel and flourite. Plants grow great.

 

[1xalpha]

mmk that sounds cool... wil using miracle grow or something like that work i some people use that

 

[lipadj46]

Use topsoil not potting mix. If you don't mineralize outside the tank first you will get a huge ammonia spike until the topsoil has been mineralized by the bacteria. Mineralizing essentially is letting the topsoil sit until the bacteria has removed all the organics and you are left with just the mineral components. People will also add potassium to the mineralized topsoil too then top with sand. Go over to plantedtank.net and research before you start tossing dirt in a tank though because you will avoid certain disasters.

 

[RareExoticFish]

Pool filteration sand is great
im getting alot of it for the 4190

 

[1xalpha]

Use topsoil not potting mix. If you don't mineralize outside the tank first you will get a huge ammonia spike until the topsoil has been mineralized by the bacteria. Mineralizing essentially is letting the topsoil sit until the bacteria has removed all the organics and you are left with just the mineral components. People will also add potassium to the mineralized topsoil too then top with sand. Go over to plantedtank.net and research before you start tossing dirt in a tank though because you will avoid certain disasters.

I have heard u can use potting soil though search dustinsfishtanks