Diana Walstad tank method question

captmicha

captmicha

Le tired.
Dec 6, 2006
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Maryland, USA
I'm not too concerned about my plants, I'm concerned about my fish and shimp so I'm posting it here, since this regards my fish and shrimp.

I want to aquascape my tanks in the Diana Walstad method, so instead of buying potting soil and soil conditioners, can I just use soil from my backyard? I have a pile of soil (some clay content) sitting on my driveway that hasn't been treated with any chemicals besides weed killer, that's only supposed to last for 24 hours, at the beginning of the summer. Since the soil would have to sit in my aquarium anyways with frequent water changes for a few weeks before putting fish or shrimp in, would this be safe? It's been exposed to the rain and the elements so it has a nice crop of weeds on it now and probably no more weedkiller.

Or is it important to buy potting soil for some reason?

I'm going to be using a HOB filter and aerator for this tank in addition to the increased filtration and aeration that the Diana Walstad method would produce alone.
 
if it has been treated with any chemical, dont add it to your tank. its not worth the risk.

if it has been expised to the outdoors, there is also a very good chance that it was sprayed with mosquito-targeting insecticide, which can be disastrous for your fish.

besides, there are other alternatives you can use, like play sand or pool filter sand.
 
I wouldn't recommend the soil from your ground. There's no telling what contaminants are there. Your best bet is to go with the cheap topsoil that doesn't have any fertz in it. I've used this soil before with success.
 
I agree with jm1212, considering how cheap (dirt cheap... haha.. hah) potting soil is, you might as well just buy a bag. Its important to buy the CHEAP kind with no added fertilizer. There's no guarantee that there's no microbial pathogens in your soil (I bet there are), and even if they are dead, their secreted toxins will still be there. Since the potting soil layer is the middle layer, you can't really change it out afterwards.

If you're aiming for a true El Natural tank, then ditch the HOB and only add the powerhead for current. However, if you plan on breeding your fish/shrimp, then go ahead with the added filtration. If you haven't bought the HOB, I would highly suggest an internal filter instead, or a canister.
 
if it has been expised to the outdoors, there is also a very good chance that it was sprayed with mosquito-targeting insecticide, which can be disastrous for your fish.
Click to expand...

When would that have happened?? I didn't spray it with any.

And buying the top soil wouldn't be enough. I would also have to buy soil conditioners too, right?

Diana Walstad recommends Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil so that's probably what I'm going to go with but from my understanding, all top soils and potting soils are comprised of a large amount of peat.
 
Earthgro brand topsoil from Home Depot. $4-$6/bag. Sometimes they even have it in ShopRite. If you haven't read it, head over to gwapa.org and read the article on mineralized topsoil substrate. If you want to do it that way, PM me and I'll give you all the info on where to buy the stuff. I have three tanks w/mineralized soil substrate. All of them do have filtration, and one has pressurized CO2 running. The substrate allows you to be more laxed w/dosing fertz. I didn't dose any fertz for about 8 months in my largest tank, a 55G. Now I'm starting to dose some K and using home made root tabs using Riiz's recipe (found here on AC). Plants continue to grow really well.
 
I'm not getting my confirmation email for registering at that site. Can you pm the article to me? I have no idea what the difference is between all these soils. I know that potting soil is supposed to be good quality and full of nutrients and top soil is junk soil that you use for filling in holes, etc. and has no added nutrients or much in the first place.
 
Miracle Grow isn't anything special other than the claims and the packaging.

I have 29 gallon using regular aquarium gravel and have it stuffed to the brim with fish and plants. I have not done a water change in 3 weeks and the parameters are 0,0,0. For the sake of the trace elements, I am going to do regular water changes regardless.

Being the "forever cynic" I don't believe her methods are any better than anyone else's. It's just a different way. People put their trust in many things, including their own ideas and ideals. When they find something that works, they claim it is the "latest and greatest to end all". Never be afraid to try something new or the tried and true.
 
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