Question on Cocopeat

[dc88]

Hi Experts who use cocopeat under your tank's substrate ,
Seeking your advice. Do you add other base fert in addition to the cocopeat ?
Do you see any difference with cocopeat alone vs adding other base fert to it ?

Thanks in advance,

[juggler]

Not expert but I do use cocopeat in all my tanks to save some $.

When I first tried cocopeat, I didn't mix in anything else. Plant growth seem so-so.
Subsequent setups I have tried mixing in 1/4 to 1/3 volume of JBL Aquabasis. Or mixing cocopeat with recommended dose of Root Monster loose pellets. These gave better results.

I think cocopeat still lack a bit of nutrients like Fe. Since cocopeat is made of coconut husks.

Lately for my low tech tanks I also tried peat moss mixed with some clay-looking soil dug from downstairs. They worked as well.

[dc88]

Thanks Juggler,
Do you also add coral chip to the soil mix to?
Rgds
DC

[juggler]

My coral chips I left it in a mesh bag in my Eheim filter. I don't want to mix it into the substrate in case I need the gravel to be inert for future use.

[dc88]

Ah, good point !

Thanks.