fish guy Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Hi everyone in the coming month or so i intend on setting up a medium tech planted aquarium. The main reason ive created this post is i want your feedback on the use of daltons organic potting mix as the main substrate capped with daltons aquatic mix capped with sand. Only im unsure wether it is safe as it has trichobuild whatever that is? The reason i originaly felt this product would be suitable as it contains all the trace elements my plants require and also contains a all natural slow release fert inside zeoloite. Anyway look forward to your opinions/ suggestions Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 http://www.daltons.co.nz/commercial-mix ... d-seed-mix Trichobuild® is added to maximise disease suppression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish guy Posted February 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Yea thanks Mark thats where i got my info from but what i wanted to know is if anyone has had any experience with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Yea thanks Mark thats where i got my info from but what i wanted to know is if anyone has had any experience with it? I'd tend to stay away from potting mix and just go with straight aquatic mix. I believe most people have had good results without any other information I'd stay with what's proven to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr A Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Yeah why bother with potting mix when they purpose make a aquatic mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Yeah why bother with potting mix when they purpose make a aquatic mix. Agreed. Just stick with a 3-5cm layer of the aquatic mix capped with 3-5cm of sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aotealotl Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 or instead of aquatic mix go into the native bush (not pine forest), dig a small hole (500 mm deep) and take some earth from there and mix that with some loam and use that as your base layer under the sand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexyay Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Agreed. Just stick with a 3-5cm layer of the aquatic mix capped with 3-5cm of sand. Once I set up my 140L I intend on using this method - is sand the only option or will a fine gravel be OK too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nononomome Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 I used ordinary 3cm potting mix capped with 5cm fine sand in my 160L with good success. And my cories love the sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish guy Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Hi alexyay both pea sized gravel and sand both work only the sand should be quite course to prevent a build up of gas.the reason i wanted to try the organic potting mix for a couple of reasons. One is i wanted to closely mimic diana walsteds method and two i wanted to know wether i could improve on a already succesful technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karina Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 I have used Dalton's aquatic mix in a couple of planted tanks now with fine gravel and have had great success with plants. I think one thing with using sand with Dalton's that hobbyists have found is that if you have digging fish they stir up the mix and make a mess. Dalton's also lasts at least 2 years possibly 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish guy Posted February 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 I have my 450l tank currently with daltons aquatic mix and have noticed after a year my swords and crypts growth have slowed down noticeably8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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