Can stem plants grow in lapis sand?.

**octopus** · 12th Jun 2011, 22:17

Had a little success with planted tank in a 1.5ft tank set up with a soil base. Planning to upgrade to 3ft tank but due to $ constraint would like to substitute soil with Lapis sand. Do you think i would still be able to grow stem plant on them?.

**barmby** · 12th Jun 2011, 23:22

Definitely yes! plants like hygrophila difformis and hygrophila polysperma. i can assure you that these are fast grower. Use liquid fertilizer as its easier for plants to take in nutrient from water column

substrate is not an excuse : )

**octopus** · 13th Jun 2011, 08:46

Originally Posted by barmby

Definitely yes! plants like hygrophila difformis and hygrophila polysperma. i can assure you that these are fast grower. Use liquid fertilizer as its easier for plants to take in nutrient from water column

substrate is not an excuse : )

Thats good news! Thanks

**thebaldingaquarist** · 13th Jun 2011, 15:18

I am using Lapis sand as well.But i supplement it with root ferts every 6 months.

**Mr.Oink** · 13th Jun 2011, 15:54

To save cost, you can actually use Horti Soil (easily available at major super market) and top up with 1inch of lapis soil.

**aquarius** · 13th Jun 2011, 17:57

I presume you won't be using CO2 or Seachem Excel in this tank? Will you be using base fert?

**felix_fx2** · 13th Jun 2011, 18:14

Originally Posted by Mr.Oink

To save cost, you can actually use Horti Soil (easily available at major super market) and top up with 1inch of lapis soil.

That is correct. That will look something like this ImageUploadedByTapatalk1307959964.631923.jpg

**octopus** · 13th Jun 2011, 23:03

No CO2 or Seachem Excel. Basing on feedback gathered so far might go along with using Horti soil as fertiliser and topping off with Lapis sand. Any suggestion as to how much of soil and Lapis sand is required for a 3 x 1.5 x 1.5 ft tank?.

**felix_fx2** · 14th Jun 2011, 03:52

How much/tall your horti soil you want? Same goes for lapis.

Altum_lover is good at setting up this type soil based ones. If he more active he can provide more soild advice for large tanks.

Buy this. ( there is a few type)

If buy wrong one you get free pearllite or floating dead moss.

**Mr.Oink** · 14th Jun 2011, 07:18

I think there is a bigger pack going for around $12.
For my 81cm(L) x 36cm (W) tank, I use 1.5 packet of the bigger pack.
Sloping down to the front, I achieve about 3inch at the back with 1.5inch in front with horti soil and then I add 1 inch of lapis sand over them.

Ohh.. in between the horti soil and lapis sand, I actually added some organic aquatic fertiliser which I bought off the plant section shelve at NTUC. So fa my FireRed Shrimp is breeding well in this setup.

Below is the tank shot of my setup

**felix_fx2** · 14th Jun 2011, 12:24

Originally Posted by Mr.Oink

I think there is a bigger pack going for around $12.
Ohh.. in between the horti soil and lapis sand, I actually added some organic aquatic fertiliser which I bought off the plant section shelve at NTUC.

Toa payoh outlet limited. No large packs.
Organic aquatic fert? Sounds like NTUC outlet for you is better.

Supplement with root monster also kind of ok.

For a larger setup, think can go fareast floral buy their aquatic compost.

Btw, nice growth.

**octopus** · 15th Jun 2011, 23:03

Thanks to all for your advise think will start shopping over the weekend.

**octopus** · 18th Jun 2011, 16:33

I am staying at Hougang went to 2 NTUC outlet to look for Horta soil both did not have plant section. One of them inspite being a Fairprice Extra also did not cater for plant section. Can someone share the location where this soil can be found besides the Toa Payoh outlet.?.

**Mr.Oink** · 18th Jun 2011, 17:25

You can try Giant or Cold storage, if there is 1 near by.

**felix_fx2** · 18th Jun 2011, 20:56

Originally Posted by octopus

I am staying at Hougang went to 2 NTUC outlet to look for Horta soil both did not have plant section. One of them inspite being a Fairprice Extra also did not cater for plant section. Can someone share the location where this soil can be found besides the Toa Payoh outlet.?.

Last time it used to be at lower level.
Toa payoh outlet just went through renovation so likely shifted.

I saw Carrefour holding some.
Don't need to be too picky, get topsoil type will do.

You can read this. I looked this up when I started.
http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Walstad_method

**octopus** · 19th Jun 2011, 14:37

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

Last time it used to be at lower level.
Toa payoh outlet just went through renovation so likely shifted.

I saw Carrefour holding some.
Don't need to be too picky, get topsoil type will do.

You can read this. I looked this up when I started.
http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Walstad_method

Thanks for the sharing. It was a good read. I am a little kiasu want to use only something that is tried and tested. Will try sourcing for the Horti soil failing which will settle for the top soil.