Tank Top Question

Soji John wrote in message ...
I have heard several of you mention the problem of
soil in aquarium. I have used it with no ill
effects that I know of.

Yes, I've been wondering where all the negativity towards soil comes
from too. I have topsoil (from my backyard) covered with a layer of
sand in my 125 gallon. I did have some trouble with algae the first
two months, but this is hardly unique to soil tanks.

Now that it's settled down, the tank is great. The pH is perfectly
stable, nitrate levels are perfectly stable, plants are growing
vigorously without CO2 injection.

People who are scared of soil should read Diana Walstad's book,
"Ecology of the Planted Aquarium." It explains very well why soil is a
good substrate choice.

- Jim

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 15:45:03 -0600, joe wrote:

the gravel layer on top). My Profile under gravel mix seemed to be the
most succesful and highly recommended conbination. As far as real
'potting soil' (dirt based stuff), I agree...not a good starter's choice.

I've done the same thing. Profile works fine, but I am not fond of
the color, so I tried mixing it with Flourite. It looked good for a
while, but it seperated over time.

In my quarentine tank, I've got straight profile, and the plants in
there are doing fine. It is lighter weight, and plants do get more
easily uprooted.


Chuck Gadd
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua

Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil is not really "dirt" its kiln dried "fractured"
clay. It is also sold under the name "Profile". You can read about both in
"thekrib" as I did long ago. I set my tank up using profile as my base and
fluorite on top. Both products are VERY dusty. I just gave up washing them
after the 20th rinse and let the dust settle. I bought a 50lb bag of profile
for about $6.00 at Caudill Seed Company in Louisville, KY. Schultz Aquatic
Plant Soil costs about $16-$17 for a 16lb bag at Lowes. I promise they are
IDENTICAL substances.

Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil (Profile) is not a pretty substrate to look
at....unless you like the color of washed out clay pots. Mine has mixed in
with the fluorite a little and it looks like it belongs. its lighter than
fluorite but its still on the bottom in most places.

Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil or "Profile" is used in hydroponics gardening
also. But the main purpose Profile is sold for is as a soil additive for
baseball or football fields and golf courses. It improves drainage while
retaining some moisture itself.. Very much like adding peat moss does.

BTW, I am so glad Red takes time to post in here. He's been a help to me and
I think he's only a state away. I ALWAYS read what you write Red. Thanks
for the time. :-)

Jim

"joe" wrote in message ...
Just a quick clarification, as I think there are some misconceptions...

1) As the OP, I'm not a beginnner aquarist, just a beginner with planted
tanks. I've been keeping fish on and off for 15 years.

2) The stuff I'm using is not 'soil' in the terrestrial use of the word.
Per the manufacturer, it is 'Made from a kiln-fired 100% mineral
substance, contains no peat moss or compost that can break down, cloud
water or float around to clog filters and pumps.'. It doesn't have any
of those things you mentioned either, such as additives.

3) I have stirred it around since it was installed, and while it does
move relatively easily, it settled right back down. No couldiness was
generated, I'm sure in large part because I thoroughly washed it before
putting it in to remove the dust.

Tim

RedForeman ©® wrote:

Are you an advanced aquarist or a beginner? the OP is a beginner, and
wanting to start out with soil covered with flourite.... I know, I've
been
told be many that it is a bad idea for a beginner...

Potential problems
Additives in the soil, Potting soil HAS additives, Top Soils don't...
Some have vermiculite, some dont
Some have pesticides, some dont
Some people think you can just add dirt.... wrong.
Some asked about peat... not a good idea either...
Some have urea, MAJOR ammonia problem there... but plants love it...fish
won't.

"Soji John" wrote in message
...

Most of the soil is denser than water. some of it
(such as the peat) may be lighter. It is true
that once the soil layer is disturbed it will
cause a turbidity problem. I try not to do this
and as of now it hasn't been an issue. Any other
problems that you know of?

Thanks,

-soji

Dunter Powries wrote:

You asked, you got an answer, you argued... fair game.

Seriously, you've got a lighter-than-water substance weighted down by
gravel. How long do you think you can go with having to move a plant,

and

what happens when you disturb the gravel barrier. Better to think of
it

now

than later.

Joe Zoolan wrote in message
...

Dunter...sorry to be so stupid. I guess reporting what I've read in

100

other posts over the past 2 weeks isn't good enough for you. Thanks

for

the constructive feedback...

Tim

Dunter Powries wrote:

joe wrote in message

...

...the light nature of the stuff, which is resolved with
the gravel layer on top...


Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Oh, my.








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"Jimmy" wrote in message
Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil is not really "dirt" its kiln dried
"fractured"
clay. It is also sold under the name "Profile". You can read about both in
"thekrib" as I did long ago. I set my tank up using profile as my base and
fluorite on top. Both products are VERY dusty. I just gave up washing them
after the 20th rinse and let the dust settle. I bought a 50lb bag of
profile
for about $6.00 at Caudill Seed Company in Louisville, KY. Schultz Aquatic
Plant Soil costs about $16-$17 for a 16lb bag at Lowes. I promise they are
IDENTICAL substances.

Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil (Profile) is not a pretty substrate to look
at....unless you like the color of washed out clay pots. Mine has mixed in
with the fluorite a little and it looks like it belongs. its lighter than
fluorite but its still on the bottom in most places.

Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil or "Profile" is used in hydroponics gardening
also. But the main purpose Profile is sold for is as a soil additive for
baseball or football fields and golf courses. It improves drainage while
retaining some moisture itself.. Very much like adding peat moss does.

BTW, I am so glad Red takes time to post in here. He's been a help to me
and
I think he's only a state away. I ALWAYS read what you write Red. Thanks
for the time. :-)

Jim

One of these days I'm gonna take that risk and try soil.... but until then,
I'll advocate it for advanced ppl, NOT like me...

thanks jimmy....

What do you think if I I take a clay pot, put some moss in the bottom ( to
cover the hole), then some soil from the yard, insert my plant, then cover
with florite, finally place in tank........



One of these days I'm gonna take that risk and try soil.... but until
then,
I'll advocate it for advanced ppl, NOT like me...

thanks jimmy....

maybe soaking it without the plant for a day, in a bucket, then test the
water to see if anything is coming from the soil, whether the pH changes,
trAtes, and trItes.... if no ill effects, sure... I've thought about just
soil and flourite 50/50 ina pot before, but if I had the time.....

Good luck, give us an update on what you find out...

"Jimmy" wrote in message
news:VO2qb.110115$HS4.951270@attbi_s01...
What do you think if I I take a clay pot, put some moss in the bottom (
to
cover the hole), then some soil from the yard, insert my plant, then cover
with florite, finally place in tank........



One of these days I'm gonna take that risk and try soil.... but until
then,
I'll advocate it for advanced ppl, NOT like me...

thanks jimmy....

"zeek" wrote in message
om...
As for your setup, I strongly recommend you reconsider your choice
of
substrate. The fact that your are a self-proclaimed "Planted Tank
Newbie" is the reason I suggest it. Soil substrates are best left
to
those who are more experienced with planted setups

Let's just make sure that everyone is aware that Shultz Aquatic Soil
is the same thing as Profile, which is a substrate very similar to
Flourite. It's much lighter (both in color and density) and cheaper
than Flourite, but has many of the properties that make Flourite such
an effective substrate.

The last time I set up my 55 gallon, I simply couldn't afford to go
with a 100% Flourite substrate. So I went with a 50/50 mix of
Profile and Flourite. It worked wonderfully! Saved me a LOT of
money, and their colors are complementary.

Lastly, I want to re-introduce everyone here to Steve Pushak's
website with some incredible substrate articles:
http://home.infinet.net/teban
Jamie S. Johnson's research is particulary interesting, as you'll
find a detailed scientific analysis and comparison of quite a few
different types of soil/substrate, including Flourite and Profile:
http://home.infinet.net/teban/jamie.htm

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dave Engle

DFW, TX USA
Independent Associate
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/go/dengle

I have seen is a good medium to support Schultz aquatic soil. It is simply more clay to the plant roots into a good consistency. For every bad, I found 10 posted good (and bad about the water chemistry was not repeated, or something, which is above the gravel layer to resolve the nature of light typical).

chultz aquatic soil data is not a nice substrate, see
.... unless you like the color out of clay pots. The mine mix
And fluorite point, it looks like it belongs. The light in the
Fluorite but it is still at the bottom of most places.