Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hmoobthor on November 7, 2011 at 7:41pm

im pretty sure it will work but the leeching of the nutrients would take a  while and lots of water changes. Plus a good size chunk of it to dirt in the tank too.

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Permalink Reply by Mummu K on November 9, 2011 at 11:58pm

ill be happy to put in the extra work. compost is available all over the place here in colombo, sri lanka. :)

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Permalink Reply by Connor on November 8, 2011 at 4:31pm

as long as you buy any brand of "organic potting soil" you should be fine

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Permalink Reply by Mummu K on November 9, 2011 at 11:59pm

compost is a soil additive/fertilizer. but it is all organic. 

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Permalink Reply by Brent on November 11, 2011 at 12:56pm

I am not sure but I wouldn't use the compost if it is still rotting. I would be afraid that it would put off more gasses under the soil cap and cause problems with your tank. I would just stick to dirt if you can find it.

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on November 11, 2011 at 3:07pm

I just used plain topsoil with root tabs and clay to start off with.  After a while the decaying matter at the bottom of the tank will add nutrients to the soil.  There are also ways to mineralize your topsoil with different fertilizers for gardening.  Just do a search for mineralized topsoil.

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Permalink Reply by Mummu K on November 11, 2011 at 7:17pm

thanks man that was really helpful. how's your tank doing? how big is it? and what do you keep?

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on November 11, 2011 at 7:42pm

Tank is well and balanced.  It's a 46 and I keep many species of plants and fish.  I have a video that shows most of them.

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Permalink Reply by Jarrett Hunt on November 13, 2011 at 6:43am

you can order it online like i did.

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Permalink Reply by Michael V on November 16, 2011 at 11:07am

Organic potting mix and/or quality topsoil is a mix of soil and compost.

I would not use 100% compost only because it lacks the minerals and other elements of soil or 'DIRT'. That's not to say you don't want compost. A good growing medium needs organic humus, otherwise we'd just have clay rock or lifeless sand - and not much grows there!

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