Gex Dark Green Soil - should i add fertilizer?

[mikeang]

Hi,

Before I dump all the soil into my tank, (this is going to be my first planted tank), I would like to ask the following :

1. C328 told me the GEX powersoil already has fertilizer so no need to add or wash it, true?

2. before i put the soil in, should i put any other substrate below as a first later?

Thanks

Michael

[Mizu World]

1) GEX and similar soils are not meant to be washed when using them in the aquarium.

2) If you have any old mulm (the stuff that looks like dirt) from an established filter, you can use it as a base, before putting your soil in.
You can refer to the following thread for what I meant: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=66636

You can also consider placing root tablets to provide nutrients for more demanding plants, after setting the main substrate in place.

Hope this helps!


Cheers,
Ben

[KWL]

although gex soil has fertilizer, but it does not last long,

[mikeang]

hi ben, KWL,

Thanks. Am stuck with this soil anyway. So might as well just add some stick fertilizer.

Michael

[jiajuen900]

Actually, i would reccomend adding a base fert such as ADA powersand or mulm as said above. I was stuck with GEX red bag on my first setup and i had a hard time with it. Besides the subtrate still need to dose the water column with ferts.

[Tamama]

I think a lot of ppl say ADA soil can last longer, but I think for my 1.5ft tank using GEX soil (5cm thick) is doing quite well. The plants are still growing well after 1.5 year. but again it depends how heavily you plant your tank I think.

if you intend to keep mosses and a few plants here and there, I think not a problem. All LFS recommend me not to mix with old soil as it will get cloudy water for a long time.. but again i think its up to you if you want to build up the thickness. it is just a matter of time for the water to be clear..

[jiajuen900]

well both will run out after a year or so. Even after the ferts in the soil will run out overtime, they will be replenished overtime as bacteria breaks down organic matter. But its just your preference. ADA and GEX are both good, but most prefer ADA. And in my opinion it is better.

[Fuzzy]

Another point to note is that if you are not planting heavily, and you use a nutrient rich soil, or a base fertilizer, you are liable to have algae problems.

So there is something to be said for GEX soil, especially since it tends to hold its shape better than other brands which generally turn to mud after you add water.

[barmby]

From what I read - ADA is better than GEX. Certainly. I guess you pay for what you get. They are in different league.

PS: I have NO prior experience with soil

[Shadow]

Let me give you a hint.

Gex mainly made from silicate and ADA mainly made from clay. The hint is look at CEC (Cation exchange capacity)

[Tamama]

Let me give you a hint.

Gex mainly made from silicate and ADA mainly made from clay. The hint is look at CEC (Cation exchange capacity)

This is really too profound for my level of understanding. haha..

[Shadow]

Just ask uncle google or uncle wiki

It will tell you that clay have high CEC and silicate have low CEC. In general, CEC is measure of how well you substrate able to hold nutrient.