What to get from florist to use as base fert?

[bossteck]

Hi all,

Newbie question here. I had been using commercial base all along. Thinking of setting up a low cost planted tank.

So here's my question, what can I get from local florist (such as Far East, Goodwood etc) to be used as base fert? I am looking at setting up a tank that is slightly smaller than 5 x 1.8

Or will I be better off just sticking with the commercially available bast fert?

Looking at keeping some easy plants, maybe blyxa japonica, e. tenellus, lotus, anubias, you get the idea. So.. any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[dc88]

IMO there is a good source of soil from local florist (Far East carried them) that is perfectly for aquatic use. It is called Aquatic Compost imported from U.S. and is meant for pond planting use. (You still need to add a layer of lapis sand on top though).
Unfortunately lately they run out of the small package ($6+) and only the larger one ($15) available. And it is really large package so if yours is small tank you might as well get commercial base fert or ADA soil in a smaller package which will save your trouble.

Others may recommend you the potted plant compost that may work equally well. One popular one that often mentioned is the cocopeat soil from Cold Storage. Do a search to find out more.

BTW how big if your tank ? 5 ft x 1.8 ft ? Then you may able to consume the large package of Aquatic Compost.

[Simon]

Might I suggest mixing gravel with Aquatic Compost, without mixing the base might be too compact for the root system to establish. Also, it would be wise to use commerical base fertilizer to prevent future problems, like nutrient leeching into the water column, if the gravel on top is too thin. Not saying commerical base fert. wouldn't have the same problems, but less likely to have problems of that nature

[bossteck]

Hi dc88 and Simon,

Thanks for both your inputs. I think I will give aquatic compost a try, will be sure to put a substantial amount of gravel on top.

What does cocopeat soil do for the plants?

Thanks for sharing.

[Daz]

If low cost is you major concern, buy peats as a base, cover with a layer of fine gravel to prevent the peats from floating up. Buy Moster Roots for fert.

Wah lah... cheap and good. I used have this for my 2 x 2ft tanks.

[dc88]

Hi dc88 and Simon,

Thanks for both your inputs. I think I will give aquatic compost a try, will be sure to put a substantial amount of gravel on top.

What does cocopeat soil do for the plants?

Thanks for sharing.

Cocopeat basically provide a good organic base to bind the nutrient. So you still need to add root fert liked ocean monster root. But it is definitely cheaper for small to mid tank size (because you can get small economical size package from supermarket). And it works as well.

Auqatic Compost according to the data on the bag it already contain all the essential nutrients needed for pond planting (without NH4 such as urea). Just buy the common lapis sand to put on top. I use half thickness of aquatic compost (without mixing) and half lapis sand on top. You can try 2/3 lapis 1/3 compost too, if the tank is smaller. This is because you should not insert the root into the soil layer initially. Just plant the root into the sand layer and let the root find its way there.

**Simon has a good point. I did not try mixing the bottom layer with sand. I should try it next time to see the difference. May be that's why it took a while for the root to establish for my case, and I need to rely on the water column dosing to kick start the growth.**

I have good result with hair grass just 2 weeks new runners start forming. You still need to add water column fert though (using the E.I. method) with good light level and high CO2.
I have another nano tank using the same substrate compo without CO2 (but with Seachem Excel as the carbon source) and hair grass grow well in there too.

Incidently I just stock up my Aquatic Compost 2 weeks ago, bought it from Goodwood Florist along Thomson road. (It is actually belonging to Far East Florist). They have a large pallet full of the big size package (S$13.5 of a 25 liter bag).
BTW If you have Ikea membership card you get a good 10% discount !

[bossteck]

Hi dc88,

Thanks for the explanation. Very helpful of you.
I will probably go get a packet of aquatic compost from Goodwood as you have suggested.

Thanks!