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Aqua soil depletion

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maverick786us

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Columbus, GA
How do you determine when your aqua soil is depleted of its nutrients? 2 of my high tech tanks 1 established in November and other December when should I use root tabs to get these nutrients back? Do these soils also store nutrients from the water column? I regularly use fertilizer based on the prescription.
 
From my reading it lasts anywhere between 1-3 years, depending on the brand you have. Your plants will be the first to tell you when it depletes and then you can use root tabs. Also, AFAIK, some aqua soils will also absorb nutrients from the water column which will help extend its life.
 
This is the aqua soil I use. But in the US it comes in different labels. I know ADA Amazon and Tropica Aquarium soil are more popular. The reason I selected platinum soil is because I got it at a very good discounted price. There is no way I can find out if this soil is capable of extracting nutrients from the water column.
 

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hypnogogia said:
From my reading it lasts anywhere between 1-3 years, depending on the brand you have. Your plants will be the first to tell you when it depletes and then you can use root tabs. Also, AFAIK, some aqua soils will also absorb nutrients from the water column which will help extend its life.
Click to expand...

That's what Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) does right? That's what I thought anyway but maybe I misunderstood, although my understanding is that CEC itself can't buffer excess nutrients forever.

@maverick786us You could wait for your plants to show signs and then add root tabs, or just pre-emptively add them.
 
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If you use a substrate, you will be alright for years. Who told you it depletes within months? 🙂 did you hear that on a YouTube channel that also conveniently sells the aquasoil or is sponsored by a manufacturer?

There's so much stuff that was put online, most of it originated around COVID, that was sponsored and 99% BS, never had any disclaimers, and there are guys that are notorious at repeating that BS online whenever they can.

No, your few months old aquasoil is not depleted. You are doing something wrong if your plants are dying.
 
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maverick786us said:
There is no way I can find out if this soil is capable of extracting nutrients from the water column.
Click to expand...
Sure you can, if you have a conductivity/TDS pen.
  • Measure 500 ml plain RO. Add 300 ml soil to it.
  • measure 500 ml hard tap water with lots of added macros. Add 300 ml soil to it.
In both cases; what would the soil do and therefore the conductivity?

I assume the outcome would be a result of the so called Cation and Anion Exchange Capacity of the soil.
 
PeerUnk said:
Sure you can, if you have a conductivity/TDS pen.
  • Measure 500 ml plain RO. Add 300 ml soil to it.
  • measure 500 ml hard tap water with lots of added macros. Add 300 ml soil to it.
In both cases; what would the soil do and therefore the conductivity?

I assume the outcome would be a result of the so called Cation and Anion Exchange Capacity of the soil.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Do you have a video on this?
 
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