Im starting my 55g planted over, its just not clearing up and i want to do a bit more of a layered substrate.I cant afford the fancy pre made for tank stuff, so im thinking Organic topsoil, peat, Sand and gravel. But i am not sure how to arrange the layers or in what order they should be?  DIY co2 and an hob filter. Any tips tricks or ideas? Im thinking Peat as the bottom layer then Topsoil then sand then gravel on top, does this sound right?

If you've got a clay subsoil underneath your yard, that's probably the best bottom layer. The microscopic particle size of the clay (and not too much organic matter) is probably one of the things that make it work. That's a common thing with the kitty litter substrates too. You probably don't need to do the peat- though it might eventually make the water more acid.

If you want acid blackwater, pre-treating the water with peat is probably better. Then you have a consistant ph in the tank. Otherwise if you just change the water with a peat filter or substrate the ph jumps up and down.

coupedefleur said :

If you've got a clay subsoil underneath your yard, that's probably the best bottom layer. The microscopic particle size of the clay (and not too much organic matter) is probably one of the things that make it work. That's a common thing with the kitty litter substrates too. You probably don't need to do the peat- though it might eventually make the water more acid.

If you want acid blackwater, pre-treating the water with peat is probably better. Then you have a consistant ph in the tank. Otherwise if you just change the water with a peat filter or substrate the ph jumps up and down.

 

Well the way i was planning since i realized that i still had the stuff. A base layer of Crushed Oyster Shell(which will buffer if the ph dips and will act as sort of a Natural Plenum) Then the layer of peat (which i have seen reccomended quite a bit for planted tanks) Then Aragonite Sand over top (more buffering if the ph starts to drop) If i can find a Pure clay kitty litter i may add a layer of it over the Oyster shell.

I have two tanks now with a soil/sand base.  The one doesn't have a light yet due to the whole electric shock problem with the hood, but the other is doing well, and all I did was use generic topsoil from Lowe's to a depth of about 3-4 inches, topped with a 1 inch layer of playsand from Menards(it was on sale).  I do have rocks of various sizes and some natural-stone gravel strewn around, but that is just for looks.

I used this article of FarmerTodd's as a starting point: http://www.farmertodd.com/pdfs/native_fish_tank.pdf

I'm trying to do this with no additives of any kind and see how it goes.  I've always had luck with plants, even in gravel tanks with 4 undergravel lift tubes, a HOB and additional air stones, so I have high hopes for how the plants will do in the soil/sand.

I do as Mary did.  I use a layer of dirt and then a layer of sand.  You could also do a layer of dirt and then a layer of gravel.  If you do sand and gravel, the gravel will eventually sink into the sand.  It looks cool mixed, though. 

I wouldn't overthink it with a bunch of different stuff.  You could mix some aragonite with the dirt, or layer a little.  You don't want TOO much organic material, Mary could tell you about that.   

Oh well, another method... I may try this one myself instead of the soil.

On another forum that I frequent, a member uses kitty litter.  It has to be 100% clay.  You can get it at Walmart real cheap.

This is her method:

1 to 2 inches of clay kitty litter mixed with sand;
mix in a small amount of Osmocote for initial fertilizer till tank gets some good mulm;
1 to 2 inches of sand on top

tames said :

Oh well, another method... I may try this one myself instead of the soil.

On another forum that I frequent, a member uses kitty litter.  It has to be 100% clay.  You can get it at Walmart real cheap.

This is her method:

1 to 2 inches of clay kitty litter mixed with sand;
mix in a small amount of Osmocote for initial fertilizer till tank gets some good mulm;
1 to 2 inches of sand on top

 

 

 

Ya i am realizing that much like SW the FW planted tank has 100 different people telling me to do 100 different things lol!

vance71975 said :

Ya i am realizing that much like SW the FW planted tank has 100 different people telling me to do 100 different things lol!

Hee!

I say pick the one that appeals to you most, or that you think will be most enjoyable for you to work with(or look at) and keep us posted on how it's going!

Vance, I've never claimed to be an expert on any of fish tank stuff, but I'll tell you this. My planted tank has never looked better then now. Since I've tried two different substraights "made for the planted tank" and costing as much as 20.00 per bag 40.00 for a 55 gallon tank.

I was simply amazed at the results I received when I simplified things. I'm a firm believer now that simple top soil as a base is the best bang for your buck or rather $1.25 

RJS8540 said :

Vance, I've never claimed to be an expert on any of fish tank stuff, but I'll tell you this. My planted tank has never looked better then now. Since I've tried two different substraights "made for the planted tank" and costing as much as 20.00 per bag 40.00 for a 55 gallon tank.

I was simply amazed at the results I received when I simplified things. I'm a firm believer now that simple top soil as a base is the best bang for your buck or rather $1.25 

I might just try this and peat sounds like the cheapest way to go!