Soil substrate recommendations

[braindeadkev]

I’ve been “digging” around the internet and forum about using garden centre potting soil for substrate for my new aquarium. Are there any recommendations on any specific brands/types for a successful adventure?

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

G

Thread 'Soil Substrate or Dirted Tank - A How to Guide'

9 Dec 2011

The Soil Substrate Planted Tank - a How to Guide...

...or Zen and an Introduction to the Art of Underwater Gardening with Soil or Dirt...
...or The Hybrid-Energy Approach.

Introduction
In writing this I hope to illustrate that using soil substrate offers a range of possibilities and that it's up to the individual to decide on the level of energy investment they are happiest with in order to achieve their goals. I also hope to illustrate that the “hybrid-energy” approach provides an alternative to the traditional low-energy, low-tech soil substrate tank and the typical...

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Should answer all your questions 👍🏻

 

[braindeadkev]

Thanks. I read that earlier and i didn't see much in the way of recommendations of many specfic top soil/potting soil or ones to avoid. I was thinking of using Levington Organic Blend Top Soil but wanted to make sure I wasn't making a massive mistake.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

The article mentions John Innes #3 soil and Westland aquatic compost. I’m not exactly sure what’s available to you in the UK, but usually a bare bones soil, no additives or fertilizers is what works best. If you have a local garden center, grabbing some bulk loose topsoil is easy enough.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

That soil actually looks like it’ll work fine after reading its contents 👍🏻

 

[Maf 2500]

Levington Organic Blend Top Soil

On the front of the bag it says it includes "green compost" which is code for composted recycled household green waste. I try to avoid putting that sh*t on my garden, let alone in a fish tank. Some of the reviews on the amazon link say they found pieces of plastic in it too, which reinforces the idea that it contains recycled waste. You don't know what percentage of organic matter is in there and how well it has been composted. I wouldn't risk it personally, in my opinion products sold as "topsoil" should be 100% loam.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

On the front of the bag it says it includes "green compost" which is code for composted recycled household green waste. I try to avoid putting that sh*t on my garden, let alone in a fish tank. Some of the reviews on the amazon link say they found pieces of plastic in it too, which reinforces the idea that it contains recycled waste. You don't know what percentage of organic matter is in there and how well it has been composted. I wouldn't risk it personally, in my opinion products sold as "topsoil" should be 100% loam.

Ahh I didn’t see that from what I could read, I agree then

 

[braindeadkev]

Thanks so much for the replies. Dodged a bullet there by the looks of it

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I was thinking of using Levington Organic Blend Top Soil but wanted to make sure I wasn't making a massive mistake.

On the front of the bag it says it includes "green compost" which is code for composted recycled household green waste. I try to avoid putting that sh*t on my garden, let alone in a fish tank. Some of the reviews on the amazon link say they found pieces of plastic in it too, which reinforces the idea that it contains recycled waste.

<"That is the problem">, the <"Green (Garden) Waste"> organic component. You could still use it, but you would need to mineralise it first <"Mineralized top soil">.

I wouldn't risk it personally,

No, nor would I. Personally I'm more then willing to <"trade short term gain for longer term stability">, so I use sand as a substrate, with a minimal addition of <"clay and leaf-mold"> & <"natural red clay?">.

I feed the plants from the <"water column"> via the Duckweed Index and I don't tend to disturb the substrate, for the reasons explained in <"Aquarium Biofiltration - SWISSTROPICALS"> & <"Gradually losing my pygmy corydoras">.

You can go for a richer mix. Have a look at @ElleDee 's tanks, she is a successful aquarist <"About Time (79 gal, no CO2)"> and likes more nutrient rich substrate.

cheers Darrel