Soil Substrate or Dirted Tank - A How to Guide

[Liam1989]

@Tim Harrison do you know how long it will take approximately for a tank to cycle when using the aquatic soil?

 

[Tim Harrison]

It can take a while to cycle fully. But mine usually take a week or two before they are cycled enough to safely and slowly introduce critters. The full info is there in the article.

 

[ScapingScotsman]

There has been some amazing soil tanks done on here. Loved reading Tom's bucket of mud and Alastair chocolate puddle. Amazing to see how nature works itself naturally.

 

[Megann194]

This article is super informative thank you! However i feel a little confused on the soil/substrate side of this. And those who’ve seen me post over the last few days know im totally in over my head so far!

I just wanted to check a couple things in relation to this.

• i can technically use a aquatic soil from like a garden center providing there are no dangerous added ingredients?
• is it possible to buy a soil substrate online that would do the job perfectly rather than buying a aquatic soil? If so what brands are normally recommmended?
• is it essential to have multiple layers in the substrate? Could i use just a soil and then some gravel on top in areas for aesthetic purposes? Or do i need that top layer to help the plants stay in place but also help with the clean up of sediment that’s fallen to the bottom.. i.e any uneaten food?

 

[Tim Harrison]

i can technically use a aquatic soil from like a garden center providing there are no dangerous added ingredients?

Yes, aquatic compost, the type typically used in ponds is fine.

is it possible to buy a soil substrate online that would do the job perfectly rather than buying a aquatic soil? If so what brands are normally recommmended?

Yes, you can use John Innes type compost. Or you can use something like Tropica AS an all in one solution.

is it essential to have multiple layers in the substrate? Could i use just a soil and then some gravel on top in areas for aesthetic purposes? Or do i need that top layer to help the plants stay in place but also help with the clean up of sediment that’s fallen to the bottom.. i.e any uneaten food?

If you use compost you’ll need to cap it with sand or gravel, otherwise you’ll end up with a muddy puddle.

Alternatively, Gucci substrates like Tropica AS above are an all in one solution that don’t need capping. They just cost considerably more.

 

[Megann194]

Yes, aquatic compost, the type typically used in ponds is fine.


Yes, you can use John Innes type compost. Or you can use something like Tropica AS an all in one solution.



If you use compost you’ll need to cap it with sand or gravel, otherwise you’ll end up with a muddy puddle.

Alternatively, Gucci substrates like Tropica AS above are an all in one solution that don’t need capping. They just cost considerably more.

Thank you, I’ve been looking at the Tropica AS and happy to go with that if it’ll do the job, as long as I don’t need to add anything else to it..

 

[The Miniaturist]

If you want an all in one planting medium then Tropica Aquarium Soil (little brown balls) will do perfectly well.
The Tropica Substrate is a fine powder designed to be used in a thin layer & capped with a thicker layer of either sand or gravel.
I use sand because I think it looks more natural & I keep pygmy corys. I started a tank & ran it for a few years then ended up changing the substrate for sand & soil powder because l just don't like the uniform brown of the aquarium soil!

 

[Tim Harrison]

Or you could use plain play sand. It’s dirt cheap and a perfectly good planting medium. However, it’s inert so you’ll also have to water column dose fertz, and/or use root tabs. But dosing fertz is recommended anyway. Sand will inevitably gain some additional fertility over time as mulm accumulates around plant roots etc and becomes mixed in with it. .

 

[PARAGUAY]

I have noticed a increase in price of well known aquatic aquarium sand s