Planted Aquarium substrate

[mr.bigglesworth]

So my lfs sells it for 28$ for 15lbs. But I don't want to spend 150$ for substrate so what else can I use? I heard u can use dirt, can somebody recommend a dirt to use? Will miracle grow work? I need an answer QUICK!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[duanes]

I use filter sand, and if you feel compelled you can add a little fluorite.

The above tank is filter sand below with regular gravel and fluorite

I believe, it's more about the right light.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I doubt that dirt or miracle grow will work without some potential problems.
A cheap substrate in bulk can be had with a bit of work. Construction sand like that from building supply or cement mixing places can be had at low cost. I got some construction sand at the rate of $20 per ton a couple of years ago. A smaller amount should be all that is needed.
I have taken this sand and sifted it while dry to remove the very fine stuff. I like to keep the roughly bb or larger sized bits. It is cheap enough to discard the finer stuff and still have plenty of the better sized stuff. It will then need to be rinsed well and will be easier to rinse with the fine stuff gone.
A layer of potting or other soil could be put in a tank and covered with the sand. I have read about this and have done it on small scale for some amazon sword plants. Perhaps others can relate their experiences with using soil.

 

[bbortko]

My plants are doing great in playsand. I wasn't sure how laterite look in the sand so I use seachem root tabs and the plants are doing better in this set up than with laterite and gravel.

 

[Oughtsix]

Miracle grow ORGANIC!!!!

I believe that regular Miracle grow has a lot of added phosphates and nitrates... which will promote a lot of algae and stuff.

I have a layer of miracle grow organic in my planted tank and the plants love it. I have also used it for potting aquarium plants and put enough gravel in the top portion of the pot to sink the plant and pot.

 

[davdev]

Hello; I doubt that dirt or miracle grow will work without some potential problems..

Not true, many of us use Miracle Grow. You just need to make sure you cap it with an inch of gravel or sand. I have it in both my tanks and my plants have taken off with out any other dosing or CO2.

It must be Miracle Grow Organic though, and you should give it a week or so before adding fish as the dirt gases off ammonia for the first few days, but then settles right down.

 

[jcardona1]

You can use any substrate really. But you must remember that plain sand and gravel is inert and has no minerals like a planted tank substrate has. You'll need to fertilize the substrate with root tabs if you have root feeders.

 

[anarekist]

i say use about an inch of the iron rich substrate, laterite or something like foursh then top it off with what ever.

 

[skjl47]

Not true, many of us use Miracle Grow. You just need to make sure you cap it with an inch of gravel or sand. I have it in both my tanks and my plants have taken off with out any other dosing or CO2.

It must be Miracle Grow Organic though, and you should give it a week or so before adding fish as the dirt gases off ammonia for the first few days, but then settles right down.

Hello; Good to know. I have some Miracle Grow but do not think that it is organic. A member on a different forum put Miracle Grow in a tank, soill and wood in a tank and had a problem with the water turning orange. The tannins from the wood would likely give a tea tint. Could the Miracle Grow give an orange tine if it is not organic? I have used small amounts of potting soil under amazon swords but was cautious about using much. Thanks for the info.

 

[Preacher]

I use filter sand, and if you feel compelled you can add a little fluorite.

The above tank is filter sand below with regular gravel and fluorite

I believe, it's more about the right light.

I realize this is an old post, but I am getting reedy to setup a planted discus tank and was wondering what brand and where did you get the sand?