Reusing Used Aqua Soil

**qngwn** · 9th Feb 2013, 23:34

Hi all,

I have been using and reusing my old aqua soil for my scapes. I recently realised that the roots of my plants are not going deep down into the substrate. Instead, it is coming out to the surface.

I regularly dose EI Ferts, but i do not have ant root tabs.
I suppose that this is a case where by the nutrient in the soil has already been depleted, and thus the plants are coming above the substrate to get nutrients.

What are the possible ways to restore the nutrient values inside the soil?
Besides root tabs, and base fertilizers, do you think that we are able to dose EI Ferts directly into the substrate for the plants?

**planted86** · 10th Feb 2013, 20:50

From what I know it will still leak into the water. So it's pointless. Might as well just add root tabs.

**Shadow** · 10th Feb 2013, 22:26

Hmmm... I've been reusing ada aquasoil for 5 years, never experience what you mention. What plant are you having?

**qngwn** · 11th Feb 2013, 01:01

Originally Posted by planted86

From what I know it will still leak into the water. So it's pointless. Might as well just add root tabs.

I have just injected it into the soil.. Let's wait to see results. When I inject I inject it all the way to the bottom as much as possible.. No powdery stuff flew out of the soil so far..

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**qngwn** · 11th Feb 2013, 01:02

Originally Posted by Shadow

Hmmm... I've been reusing ada aquasoil for 5 years, never experience what you mention. What plant are you having?

Just normal hairgrass. Reusing for 5 years and not depleted yet? Do you dose any ferts?

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**stormhawk** · 11th Feb 2013, 01:47

I'd go with root tabs, fert balls or those Root Monster things at the LFS. Some people swear by the Root Monsters. I used the JBL fert balls however:

http://www.jbl.de/en/aquatics-freshw...the-7-13-balls

It was just a supplement for my old Echinodorus that was showing signs of nutrient deficiency. After I placed the ball right underneath it, it showed some signs of recovery but it took awhile.

**Shadow** · 11th Feb 2013, 08:21

I dont know depleted or not, do not have equipment to test it but my plant root is going down as normal root do.

**felix_fx2** · 11th Feb 2013, 23:51

my suggestion is add base fert or root tabs.
btw, your dosing EI... aquatic plants do take in from leafs and not just roots alone.

Shadow: you use normal kitchen sifter (for flour) to take out powered up aqua soil? revelent to reusing aqua soil. so i though i'd bring up this.

**qngwn** · 12th Feb 2013, 00:00

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

my suggestion is add base fert or root tabs.
btw, your dosing EI... aquatic plants do take in from leafs and not just roots alone.

Shadow: you use normal kitchen sifter (for flour) to take out powered up aqua soil? revelent to reusing aqua soil. so i though i'd bring up this.

I dont remove the powered up portion. after drying i'll keep. when i need, i'll just dump the whole bag into the new tank..

**Shadow** · 12th Feb 2013, 00:25

I'm using those $2 laundry bag to remove those that turn to mud, not sure if that make any different.

**felix_fx2** · 12th Feb 2013, 12:21

Originally Posted by qngwn

I dont remove the powered up portion. after drying i'll keep. when i need, i'll just dump the whole bag into the new tank..

how you dry sun dry ah

i air dried mine...

Originally Posted by Shadow

I'm using those $2 laundry bag to remove those that turn to mud, not sure if that make any different.

i used kitchen sifter. not bad also... but maybe your laundry bag larger holes

**gid** · 12th Feb 2013, 14:24

Originally Posted by Shadow

Hmmm... I've been reusing ada aquasoil for 5 years, never experience what you mention. What plant are you having?

Bro, it's possible to reuse soil for 5 years?

I still remember when I set up my 1st tank, the shop guy told me that soil lasts usually only for 1.5 years. Thereafter it will turn to mud and you need to reset the tank. Now Im beginning to take it with a pinch of salt.

**Shadow** · 13th Feb 2013, 00:43

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

i used kitchen sifter. not bad also... but maybe your laundry bag larger holes

Get the smaller one. I use laundry bag because larger capacity.

Originally Posted by gid

Bro, it's possible to reuse soil for 5 years?

I still remember when I set up my 1st tank, the shop guy told me that soil lasts usually only for 1.5 years. Thereafter it will turn to mud and you need to reset the tank. Now Im beginning to take it with a pinch of salt.

All my tank shown in my blog used the same soil over and over again. It is still good have no problem growing any plants, which kind of a problem to me since I wanted to try new Amazonia but don't know what to do with the old soil

ADA gallery tank use the same soil for easily over 5 years, they ony rescape the whole galery recently (2011). Maybe the shop guy mean is the nutrient, which probably true. That why ADA also recommend to higher dose, Step 3 fertilizer. I my self use DIY fert with EI dosing regime.

**zeltade** · 13th Feb 2013, 11:00

@shadow hi shadow, for nutrients you can replenish with ferts, how about the buffering capacity? (Ph Gh Kh) or you do not bother about it?

**Shadow** · 13th Feb 2013, 11:11

I don't bother with kH GH, plant can adapt to wide range of kH and GH. My pH surprisingly around 6.4 even though with 5 years old soil, not that I care either, I just pick the right fauna.