Newbie question on soil.

[Goodfish]

Noob on planted,wonder if used soil from buy/sell can be re-use again.Especially if they are more than 6month old.wanted to start on my empty 4x2x2 but seem to be quite costly for that.Think soil is the only item that i can save some cost,the rest can only save a dollar or so only.

Intent to start on some low tech or simple plants 1st,I have got CO2,4ft 55w x 2pl,cannister n overhead filters,rocks and some drift/bog wood.Mostly are used items think only fishes and plant are new

Please advise,my 1st planted set-up.Many thanks!

[cheetf]

You can do it but personally I would not recommend it. Reason being that for a tank that size to redo it would be a nightmare. Alternatively, you could put a fertiliser base at the bottom then put the used soil on top. From previous experience, you must not pull up any plants after that as it will cause some kind of spike! (I suspect ammonia). I did that and many of my yamato shrimps curled up and died.

[dc88]

"wanted to start on my empty 4x2x2 but seem to be quite costly for that"

Do you have an empty tank to start with ? Or already have used sand in it ?
If is an empty tank, indeed good branded soil (such as ADA) is not cheap for such a size of tank setup.
If you already have some used sand (what type is that ?) in it then you might want to consider adding garden soil in the base area which is cheaper. But not any garden soil.
Go some search in the forum, there are success example in the past, ppl used Cocopeat soil (from NTUC) or better still Aquatic Compost soil (from Thomson Florist). These are processed clean and cheaper in bulk, can be safely used.
If according to DW's method of non-CO2, there should be 1"of soil then top with 1"of inert river sand (e.g. lapis sand).

"you must not pull up any plants after that as it will cause some kind of spike! (I suspect ammonia). I did that and many of my yamato shrimps curled up and died."

IMHO, when doing rescape (pulling up plants) in an old tank just do a major water change (>50% of the water) and add Seachem Prime after that. This will reduce and lock down the ammonia. Can also siphon the water at the area when pulling up the plant. Best is to remove all the fish/fauna to a safer place, settle the tank then return them.

[cheetf]

"you must not pull up any plants after that as it will cause some kind of spike! (I suspect ammonia). I did that and many of my yamato shrimps curled up and died."

IMHO, when doing rescape (pulling up plants) in an old tank just do a major water change (>50% of the water) and add Seachem Prime after that. This will reduce and lock down the ammonia. Can also siphon the water at the area when pulling up the plant. Best is to remove all the fish/fauna to a safer place, settle the tank then return them.

Yah this was a few years ago when I first started, I found out the hard way! I subsequently did large water changes each time after that or I would just cut the plant off at the root.

[Goodfish]

Thanks all for the fast reply!

Do you have an empty tank to start with ?Yes,a 4x2x2 Or already have used sand in it ?Some red pebbles of 1cm,don't think nice in planted tank.If is an empty tank, indeed good branded soil (such as ADA) is not cheap for such a size of tank setup.
If you already have some used sand (what type is that ?) in it then you might want to consider adding garden soil in the base area which is cheaper. But not any garden soil.
Go some search in the forum, there are success example in the past, ppl used Cocopeat soil (from NTUC) or better still Aquatic Compost soil (from Thomson Florist). These are processed clean and cheaper in bulk, can be safely used.
If according to DW's method of non-CO2, there should be 1"of soil then top with 1"of inert river sand (e.g. lapis sand).Good,think will follow this method or may buy some used soil.With CO2,wanted to try different plants in future"you must not pull up any plants after that as it will cause some kind of spike! (I suspect ammonia). I did that and many of my yamato shrimps curled up and died."

IMHO, when doing rescape (pulling up plants) in an old tank just do a major water change (>50% of the water) and add Seachem Prime after that. This will reduce and lock down the ammonia. Can also siphon the water at the area when pulling up the plant. Best is to remove all the fish/fauna to a safer place, settle the tank then return them.

Yes,i got Seachem Prime powder.Not going to add fish until tank stable.Intended planted tank of shrimps,plants and small fishes

Another thing,heard can boil all driftwood before i use them?Used Soil needed to be wash?Wouldn't the soil dissolve when wash?will be like kind of mud?