60p filtered with soil

[JSnapp]

Hi everyone,

I‘m running an Eheim 2213 on my 60p. Half of the filter is filled with soil, the other with pumice stone. I‘m considering to fill it all up with soil, what are your thoughts on that? The idea of it is to get softer water, but also that soil is apparently very porous - so great for filter bacteria. Plus it’s cheap compared to other filter media and could easily be replaced every year or so.
Thanks for any advice in advance! Really appreciate it!!

 

[Kezzab]

It's not commonly done and I'd guess for a reason.

It's very small particles so will probably significantly reduce your filter flow.

It will also degrade and slowly disintegrate, and it will be impossible to wash.

I think not a good plan. Pumice is fine.

If you want the water softening effect, use it in the tank.

 

[Wolf6]

It's not commonly done and I'd guess for a reason.

It's very small particles so will probably significantly reduce your filter flow.

It will also degrade and slowly disintegrate, and it will be impossible to wash.

I think not a good plan. Pumice is fine.

If you want the water softening effect, use it in the tank.

My thoughts too.

 

[Tim Harrison]

Do you mean ADA AS type soil or actual garden soil?

 

[dean]

Peat blocks have been used for a long time in filters but then it colours the water

Surely it’s easy to use specialist resins these days in a filter

But it’s even easier to use soft water for your water changes

Buy a hma
Buy RO or RO water
Collect rainwater for free


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JSnapp]

Thanks people for all the input. I‘m talking about aquatic soil. Of course an hma, ro water or rainwater would work too, but for different reasons I’m more drawn to soil. I also considered the ada softenizer, but it’s also another thing in the tank. I‘m not intending to clean the soil, just exchange it. Possibly annually? Ideally half after 6 months and then the other half after a year, in rotation. This is also the reason why I would prefer not to have it in the tank. I want to be able to exchange the soil easily when it reached its softening capacity. I know there are soil filters in shrimp keeping, but I guess they use a lot less power than my Eheim. Ahh I can’t make up my mind. I mean I‘ve been running it like that for a month now, haven’t really noticed any downsides yet, but was hoping someone, who did it before me, can tell me how it will continue 😅

What’s your thought on living space for the micro bacteria? And is there soil more ideal for this purpose than other?

 

[Plant Heathen]

It sounds like you have your mind made up, on what you want to do. I do however not recommend it. If you want to save money invest in some good bio media. It will last forever with just a rinse in tank water every few months.

 

[papa_c]

Can't quite see the point.....in my mind in a planted tank, soil is for the tank and filter media is for the filter.

How you would clean out the natural detritus that collects in the filter every month? Because we use high lph all I can imagine is a compacted mud ball in the filter!

 

[Tim Harrison]

The next obvious question to ask is why do you want softer water?

 

[Plant Heathen]

The other thing is if you want softer water just use some peat in the filter. If you don't like the black water look just add some seachem purigen. It will help pull the tannins out of the water.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Ideally half after 6 months and then the other half after a year, in rotation.

You could leave <"it out in the rain for 6 months">, that would help to remove the multivalent cations from the exchange sites and replace them with a H+ ion (from the rainwater).

I want to be able to exchange the soil easily when it reached its softening capacity

You could monitor pH, but if you have hard tap water? Then it won't soften the water for very long.

How you would clean out the natural detritus that collects in the filter every month? Because we use high lph all I can imagine is a compacted mud ball in the filter!

That would be my worry. I'd prefer a physically more stable filter media, like <"Eheim Substrat Pro">?

cheers Darrel

 

[Plant Heathen]

"Eheim Substrat Pro"

I also like this one and the one made by seachem. However, I stopped using them. For big filters, it can get quite costly to use as much as you should. I now use horticultural lava stone in my filters. It cost me somewhere around $30 to fill a large filter. I've also tried the hydro balls that you use for hydroponics and they work well too.