HELP! With Substrate for Planted Tank

fish fanatic · 07-08-2008, 11:05 AM

I was wondering if I can use the sand mixture that was from a stream thats close to my house. I wanted this for a just plants tank. Can I use this?

jones57742 · 07-08-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish fanatic

I was wondering if I can use the sand mixture that was from a stream thats close to my house. I wanted this for a just plants tank. Can I use this?

ff:

After washing, soaking in a mild Clorox solution and washing again I see no reason why it will not work.

Please keep in mind that sand is inert and fert tabs may be necessary for rooted plants.

TR

fish fanatic · 07-08-2008, 11:54 AM

what about soil from outside?

**TheOldSalt** · 07-09-2008, 03:38 AM

It's probably fine, as is the creek sand. We don't know where you are and we don't know anything about your local environment, but in most places, using local dirt and sand for planted tanks works quite well, no chlorox needed. Bleach if you see any oily stuff or other pollution, or alternately, just soak it in a bucket for a week, change the water completely, and then soak it another week. Then it should be perfectly safe in most cases, assuming you don't live somewhere like an oilfield or a huge city area or something.

07-08-2008, 11:05 AM	#1
fish fanatic Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 56	HELP! With Substrate for Planted Tank I was wondering if I can use the sand mixture that was from a stream thats close to my house. I wanted this for a just plants tank. Can I use this?

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07-08-2008, 11:54 AM	#3
fish fanatic Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 56	what about soil from outside?

07-09-2008, 03:38 AM	#4
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,250	It's probably fine, as is the creek sand. We don't know where you are and we don't know anything about your local environment, but in most places, using local dirt and sand for planted tanks works quite well, no chlorox needed. Bleach if you see any oily stuff or other pollution, or alternately, just soak it in a bucket for a week, change the water completely, and then soak it another week. Then it should be perfectly safe in most cases, assuming you don't live somewhere like an oilfield or a huge city area or something.

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