Mixing of soil types?

**Jungle-mania** · 2nd Oct 2009, 00:03

I have tried mixing soils and using soils types on their own. All the mixture that I have made so far seemed to come out disastrous results, but using different soil horizons seem to have great effect initially, till I pluck a plant or two out and then disaster occurs.

Can you tell me what was the best mix or soil layers you have had used?

**lorba** · 2nd Oct 2009, 07:35

What did you mixed previously?

**Jungle-mania** · 2nd Oct 2009, 14:02

did a soil layering of both ADA Amazonia soil as my substrate and some german brand clay peats as the top soil, it was an experiment then to minmise the the clouding effect of ADA soil and provide both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria growth respectively. Also, the clay peats was meant to make it easier for plants to take root and yet still get access to the nutrients from the ADA soil.

It work well as it was intended, except when you uproot the plants, then you start to see "volcanoes" erupting. Then it was a major headache to clean up and my plants somehow did not fair with well with the chaotic environment.

**lorba** · 3rd Oct 2009, 09:15

Firstly, if you are removing deep rooted plants, you can try cutting the roots around the edges first. This can reduce chances of "eruption".

IMO, i don't think ADA soil can serve as a base nutrients by itself, not for prolonged period. So there is no real benefit to put it below and having the clay above. It is also not design to serve as a nutrient supply.

Are you rescaping frequently that you are worried about the crumbling of the soil granules?

Otherwise, consider ADA Power Sand or DIY Power Sand (Mini Lava Rock Chips, peaty powder ferts, minerals etc).

**Biotopeshop** · 3rd Oct 2009, 10:53

Originally Posted by lorba

Firstly, if you are removing deep rooted plants, you can try cutting the roots around the edges first. This can reduce chances of "eruption".

IMO, i don't think ADA soil can serve as a base nutrients by itself, not for prolonged period. So there is no real benefit to put it below and having the clay above. It is also not design to serve as a nutrient supply.

Are you rescaping frequently that you are worried about the crumbling of the soil granules?

Otherwise, consider ADA Power Sand or DIY Power Sand (Mini Lava Rock Chips, peaty powder ferts, minerals etc).

Hi Julian,

We agree with Roland for his comments and we support his explanation as well. ADA soil, once compressed below, will breakdown over time into mud, hence, do use other materials instead.

Best regards

**Jungle-mania** · 3rd Oct 2009, 15:01

Thanks for the info, this was many eons ago when I was starting out when I was experimenting with everything and I had spare soil from other tanks to meddle with.

But as the title of the thread indicates, I am asking if people have any good experience of mixing different soils.

Lorba, as you have indicated, I don't think I will be rescaping alot given the time I have. These days I simply seperate the soils with the decorative ones by the use of pots or containers.

However, I want to know if I am missing out anything about mixing soils or on their benefits, I was told by some that there is real no need to do such mixing as soil mixtures these days are really good and do not need rocket science to make new mixes. Please advice.

**EvolutionZ** · 3rd Oct 2009, 16:01

talking about soils.. anyone tried the new ANS planta soil?

**lorba** · 3rd Oct 2009, 21:29

Originally Posted by Jungle-mania

But as the title of the thread indicates, I am asking if people have any good experience of mixing different soils.

Lorba, as you have indicated, I don't think I will be rescaping alot given the time I have. These days I simply seperate the soils with the decorative ones by the use of pots or containers.

However, I want to know if I am missing out anything about mixing soils or on their benefits, I was told by some that there is real no need to do such mixing as soil mixtures these days are really good and do not need rocket science to make new mixes. Please advice.

IMO, mixing depending on usage.

If you are mixing because you are worried that soil will turn into mud and you use sand as top soil, then you get the "eruption" problem and you will have other problems as well.

Aquarium Soil is good mainly because it does not really compact over time like sand (tank height and water pressure plays a part) and it allows very weak conventional current to take place. Some brands even have porous soil granule that can support higher concentration of beneficial bacteria, which is selling point. Sand in the other hand, will compact quickly over time and harden. Sometimes, even a newly setup tank will experience anerobic sandbed (blacken, smelly) at the top.

There are generally few types of soil product out there, more commonly used are the plant soil and shrimp soil.

Plant soil usually used more nutrients in the production process and may have ingredients to make plants grow better initially. They could contain N / P and etc depending on how they produce it.

Specialised Shrimp soil on the other hand will have less/zero such nutrients (N, P etc) and may have different function such as able to absorb N. Thus making it suitable for shrimp whereby you can introduce the critters faster. They may also contain special mineral that aid growth of shrimp. This really does not make it less suitable for plants.

For me, If I really have to mix, I would probably use Plant Soil at the bottom layer and Shrimp soil on the top layer (with base fert of course). This could be useful if you intend to (earlier) add shrimps or maybe fishes that required very good water parameters, such as Arowana.

As long as you remember to cut the roots around a plant before pulling it, you wont get much of the "eruption" issue.

If the soil crumbles too much and will soil the water for days after a rescape, either you have overly "abused" it or perhaps, its after 2-3years and about time for a thin new spread of top layer.

**Jungle-mania** · 4th Oct 2009, 00:46

Thanks for the info, that was the details I was I looking for. Have you ever used sand or clay peats in your mix? I have great aversion to the use of sand like as you have indicated about the anaerobic conditions, except purely for aesthetic purposes.

**lorba** · 4th Oct 2009, 07:32

I have not been using sand for a long time. But i've tried using aqua clay though. It is too light and the "eruption" happens even during setting up.

For using sand aesthetically, you probably do not need any base fert or soil below it? Its most likely at the front and wont have to be very thick.

The anaerobic conditions of sandbed does not happen all the times. But IME, i find it is more prone when used with fertilizers mix (those soil/sand based fert). It could also be triggered when the plants rots, especially the bulb rosetta types. I have never experienced this issue with soil.

**Jungle-mania** · 4th Oct 2009, 22:15

The aqua clay from my experience looks like it collects alot of debris, but I think it makes it the accumulation more prominent. I normally siphon the debris before I plant anything.

yeap, I agree with you on your take with sand. These days, I reserve the use of sand purely for aesthetic purposes and I do not exceed 2cm at the thickest portion with 1cm being the average. As such I try to arrange my scape around this rule of mine with soil reserved purely for stem plants and the such.