terra cotta clay

[neekaragua]

i was wondering if you could use terra cotta potters clay (before it gets fired) as a base layer for a planted setup
its rich in iron and magnesium if im not mistaken, and quite easy to spread to cover the bottom of the tank

also there is an area that has dense clay clifs just a normal grey clay would that be useful

 

[schaadrak]

A lot of the planted aquarium substrates are just fired clay. However I think a wet clay might leech too many minerals into the water at once, so there may be some toxicity issues.

 

[cassharper]

I don't know the "for sure" answer, but I know that clay is found in some environments naturally. Plus, laterite (which is used quite often for planted tanks for the same reasons you say) is completely safe and quite popular.

 

[neekaragua]

I was just reading articles on the internet that suggested using a three layer substrate
using kitty litter on the bottom witch becomes soft when it gets wet covered by a 4:1 soil spaghnum moss mixture and covered by 2-3mm gravel

 

[schaadrak]

If you're looking for a cheap, organic substrate, just use 1-1.5" of a generic UNFERTILIZED top soil and cap it with 1" of 2-3mm gravel.

 

[neekaragua]

so no clay?
what about an organic compost covered with a mix of black flourite and a regular grey gravel?

 

[cassharper]

if you're going that route I would do

Bottom Layer (~.5")- Peat moss or Laterite
Top Layer (~2-2.5")- Flourite mixed with pea gravel

I wouldn't completely disregard the clay though, sounds interesting. Set up some tests!

 

[schaadrak]

so no clay?
what about an organic compost covered with a mix of black flourite and a regular grey gravel?

I'm still not sure about unfired clay being used in that large of a quantity. I've seen/heard it used as a component of a base layer in small amounts, but not as the entire base layer. I'm just afraid that it might leech too many minerals into your tank at once. Plus the fact that it doesn't let water flow through it could create problems from anaerobic conditions.

Organic compost is way too rich to use in an aquarium. You'll have cloudy water and will probably be battling algae blooms for the life of the tank.

I'm not a big fan of peat, either. It can soften the water too much which limits the variety of plants you can have.

 

[Spiritwind]

If you are looking for a black and grey mix. I would go with black fluorite and one of the Turface Pro League/Soilmaster Select of course the grey versions. Turface is probably the easier to find, I hear that the other may be discontinued. Fluorite will contain all the goodies for the plants, and the Turface will have the high CEC to move nutrients from the water column faster to the roots. Was actually considering this same set up, except I am just wanting a pure black substrate. Aside from looks, I believe in theory that this set up is better than either of the products alone.

 

[Spiritwind]

Oops, and the main point being then, is you get your black and grey and no need for the clay.