well guys the idea came to me that i'd like to achieve a more natural look by getting rid of my light colored pea gravel and get a dark soil substrate, and get rid of the few platic decorations i have and put in some wood from the creek and some local plants that will grow in soil.
but i know nothing about using soil as a substrate!
what type of soil should i use, and how do i go about maintaining it?
any other tips on soil substrates?
thanks.
Want Soil Substrate
Started by
Guest_dsaavedra_*
, Sep 05 2009 07:52 PM
9 replies to this topic
#3
Guest_dsaavedra_*
Guest_dsaavedra_*
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Posted 05 September 2009 - 09:27 PM
thanks for the link susan. some pretty good info in there.
how important is it to layer the substrate with sand and soil and gravel and such?
also, would i be ok using soil from the woods?
how important is it to layer the substrate with sand and soil and gravel and such?
also, would i be ok using soil from the woods?
#4
Guest_dsaavedra_*
Guest_dsaavedra_*
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Posted 05 September 2009 - 10:17 PM
oh and would i be able to get away with having some deciduous leaves ontop of the substrate? i think this would look really neat.
but they might break down and screw up the water chemistry...
oh and by the way i'm not worried at all about these organics turning my water yellow/brown, i really like that look.
i'm kinda going for a dingy pond look.
but they might break down and screw up the water chemistry...
oh and by the way i'm not worried at all about these organics turning my water yellow/brown, i really like that look.
i'm kinda going for a dingy pond look.
#5
Guest_lozgod_*
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Posted 06 September 2009 - 06:43 AM
Google the Walstad Method. Lots of good info.
#6
Guest_panfisherteen_*
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Posted 06 September 2009 - 12:31 PM
i was talking to him last night and during the conversation he checked it out, he's gonna attempt it at the aquarium where he has NRM, so that if he messes up he doesnt kill off his fish, and then depending on results he would then use the method on his 55. And then I would follow with my 20 gal with mudminnows and whatever minnows i get lol
#7
Guest_schambers_*
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Posted 06 September 2009 - 06:40 PM
also, would i be ok using soil from the woods?
That's where I get mine. I scrape off the top layer of organic material.
You can add some leaves, but not too many. Too many leaves will acidify the water too much. Oak leaves are nice, they break down slowly, when they are gone you can add more.
#8
Guest_gerald_*
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Posted 07 September 2009 - 09:17 AM
Miracle-Gro Organic Choice is one that Diana Walstad has had good results with, just in case finding a source of good natural soil is iffy in your area. Clay sub-soil is a good source of iron, but you want a soil that also has some organic matter which clay alone does not provide. (Notes I took at Diana's last RAS talk). When I use "wild-caught" soil i soak it in a full bucket for a day or 2 to remove non-settling fines and floating particles.
That's where I get mine. I scrape off the top layer of organic material.
You can add some leaves, but not too many. Too many leaves will acidify the water too much. Oak leaves are nice, they break down slowly, when they are gone you can add more.
#9
Guest_dsaavedra_*
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Posted 07 September 2009 - 11:23 AM
how important is it to have clay undnerneath and what type of clay do you use?
#10
Guest_gerald_*
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Posted 07 September 2009 - 12:37 PM
You dont need clay, but plants do need some iron, so if your soil isnt clayey then you might need to add iron periodically for those plants that need it. Around my area one of the most common soils is Cecil sandy clay loam. Your county soil survey (local library or Agric Extension office) will show a map of soil types and physical & chemical descriptions. Go find a construction site where they've recently cleared a forest (not old farmland, which might have persistent pesticides). Get some brown topsoil (for organic matter) plus some of the reddish or yellowish sub-soil (for iron) and mix it up.
how important is it to have clay undnerneath and what type of clay do you use?
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