7-11 volcanic soil as filter media?

[David Moses Heng]

Has anyone tried the soil sold in 7-11 that is being use for planting? Acccording to the packaging, the soil are volcanic soil laced with potassium, magnesium and iron.

What i did for my vivarium is that I actiually use it to filter the tank water and the pH of the water remains at 6 without water changed. All i ever did is top up with fresh unconditioned water every other day and is clear despite being tarin stained. inside the vivarium are some gobies, feeder shrimps, platies and one female betta.

For my 20th July set up, I used the soil as planting and also stuff one small bag into the filter and the effect acheived is constant pH of 6.5 with tarin stained clear water. Best thing is that even wihout liquid ferts, my plants starts to bubble after one hour of co2 dosing at 1 bubble per second. In fact, the leopard cory in my 2 ft are now spawning. Whether or not will there be babies is another matter as i have got 4 super hungry peruvian inside.

I am also considering using this method for my 4.5 ft ios with sump.

[valice]

I was abit stunned when you mentioned soil from 7-11. Never knew that 7-11 sells soil.

But what is interesting is that the effect sounds like ADA putting in their filter media Tourmalin F which essentially is putting a slow releasing fertilisation media in the filter.

From ADA's website:
"Tourmaline is a mineral compound of iron, aluminium, sodium, boron, lithium and magnesium which are gradually dissolved into the water enriching it of important trace elements. Tourmaline F is an electrostatic mineral that improves water quality as it flows through the filter. Moreover it inhibits with the creation of free radicals (active oxygen)."

Another thing also seems to be that the "soil" you have contains peat, thus managing to keep the pH down to 6.

But now that you mention that you put only a small bag, it seems to be the case. One thing I am worried is the possible release of ammonia if the soil contained other stuff. Then again, if you tank is filled with plants, the release of ammonia could be also the reason for the good growth and bubbling.

[David Moses Heng]

I was abit stunned when you mentioned soil from 7-11. Never knew that 7-11 sells soil.

But what is interesting is that the effect sounds like ADA putting in their filter media Tourmalin F which essentially is putting a slow releasing fertilisation media in the filter.

From ADA's website:
"Tourmaline is a mineral compound of iron, aluminium, sodium, boron, lithium and magnesium which are gradually dissolved into the water enriching it of important trace elements. Tourmaline F is an electrostatic mineral that improves water quality as it flows through the filter. Moreover it inhibits with the creation of free radicals (active oxygen)."

Another thing also seems to be that the "soil" you have contains peat, thus managing to keep the pH down to 6.

But now that you mention that you put only a small bag, it seems to be the case. One thing I am worried is the possible release of ammonia if the soil contained other stuff. Then again, if you tank is filled with plants, the release of ammonia could be also the reason for the good growth and bubbling.

so far so good. after ten days, i did my first water change and the pH is back to 6.5 just after 1 hour. is it good? i don't know.

[Aeon]

Sounds like peat moss. The $2 packet of soil in 7-11 (plants shelf) and cold storage. I'm using it to grow aloe vera. I've considered it for aquarium but didn't do it.

It's not muddy. When I water the plant, the water that flows out from below the pot is clear and not muddy. Might be a good base for plant tanks. It's also like ADA Power Soil minus the pumice stones.

[stephen chung]

Aeon,

Apparently, Not all 7-11 sell soil. Where did you get the soil from? Which 7-11?

I have been to a couple but cant find any..

[daveteogh]

I am wondering if this will cloud the aquarium water like ADA if we use this as base soil... not sure if it will be harmful to funas in the long run...

This is a really cheap soil to consider

[David Moses Heng]

I am wondering if this will cloud the aquarium water like ADA if we use this as base soil... not sure if it will be harmful to funas in the long run...

This is a really cheap soil to consider

I can tell you that the soil form 7-11 won't cloud the water in the long run . What happens is that the wter will be slightly brownish but even when the light is off, it is VERY clear. I know becasue my 2 feet is using this soil as filte medium and substrate and my plants are doing very well with very LITTLE liquid fert.

Also, my peruvians are aldo doing very well too.

[David Moses Heng]

Aeon,

Apparently, Not all 7-11 sell soil. Where did you get the soil from? Which 7-11?

I have been to a couple but cant find any..

where do you stay? if tiem permits, i don't mind help you get them cos the 7-11 below my flat sells them. Alternatively, you can go and get them at peace center cold strage. I bouoght one packet from there and gave it as a gift to a fellow hobbyist who is from japan. His name is Nakamoto. Some of the brothers in this forum knows him also. he owns a shop in Paradiz Center selling models.

[daveteogh]

where do you stay? if tiem permits, i don't mind help you get them cos the 7-11 below my flat sells them. Alternatively, you can go and get them at peace center cold strage. I bouoght one packet from there and gave it as a gift to a fellow hobbyist who is from japan. His name is Nakamoto. Some of the brothers in this forum knows him also. he owns a shop in Paradiz Center selling models.

What is the brand??
How big per pack?

[daveteogh]

I can tell you that the soil form 7-11 won't cloud the water in the long run . What happens is that the wter will be slightly brownish but even when the light is off, it is VERY clear. I know becasue my 2 feet is using this soil as filte medium and substrate and my plants are doing very well with very LITTLE liquid fert.

Also, my peruvians are aldo doing very well too.

One question: Do you wash them before you use them as base substrate?

[David Moses Heng]

One question: Do you wash them before you use them as base substrate?

no bran and i did not wash them before i use them. Just dump them straight in and than top off with a layer of lapis to keep out th debris. that's all. simple as abc.

[stephen chung]

where do you stay? if time permits, i don't mind help you get them cos the 7-11 below my flat sells them. Alternatively, you can go and get them at peace center cold storage. I bought one packet from there and gave it as a gift to a fellow hobbyist who is from japan. His name is Nakamoto. Some of the brothers in this forum knows him also. he owns a shop in Paradiz Center selling models.

Bro,

Thanks for the offer, I found something similar at NTUC bishan just now. Is $2/5L pack..I bought like 7 pack. I bought some soil from a hougang nursery also yesterday.

Will see how things turn out...

Once again..thanks guys..

[Aeon]

That soil contains peat since its composition is peat moss + volcanic ash. It's a little like Power Sand minus the pumic stones. It might end up suffocated since it's not porous?

[nys]

Bro,

Thanks for the offer, I found something similar at NTUC bishan just now. Is $2/5L pack..I bought like 7 pack. I bought some soil from a hougang nursery also yesterday.

Will see how things turn out...

Once again..thanks guys..

2 week ago, I have bought 2 bags of soil (transparent package with orange wording, $2/5L) @Hougang (Far East ???scape) for my house plants. Hope that we bought the same soil from same nursery. That can be used as substrate in our tank as well as filter media???

[David Moses Heng]

2 week ago, I have bought 2 bags of soil (transparent package with orange wording, $2/5L) @Hougang (Far East ???scape) for my house plants. Hope that we bought the same soil from same nursery. That can be used as substrate in our tank as well as filter media???

i am using it but you must first put the soil in those filter bags sold in LFS first. Basically the concept is very simple. I believe you ever studied geography. When rain water touches the soil, it will be absrobed by the soil and flows deeep down into the substrate passing through various layers of different rocks/soil. The final product: nutrient rich and clear under ground water that is collected in what we call a well. got it?

[daveteogh]

For those who bought this... can you tell me if the soil is in pellet form (like ADA/Gex) or loose form??

I was told it is in loose form... if it is... I will be amazed if it doesn't cloud the water.

[David Moses Heng]

For those who bought this... can you tell me if the soil is in pellet form (like ADA/Gex) or loose form??

I was told it is in loose form... if it is... I will be amazed if it doesn't cloud the water.

loose. it will cloud the water hence you must top it of with lapis. But from my experience, the cloudness settles down within an hour or so.

[nys]

i am using it but you must first put the soil in those filter bags sold in LFS first. Basically the concept is very simple. I believe you ever studied geography. When rain water touches the soil, it will be absrobed by the soil and flows deeep down into the substrate passing through various layers of different rocks/soil. The final product: nutrient rich and clear under ground water that is collected in what we call a well. got it?

Interesting...

One ques: The soil is nutrient ready for indoor/outdoor plants. It didn't stated the content. I thinking do nitrate and phosphrate presented? Have you test your water?

[David Moses Heng]

Interesting...

One ques: The soil is nutrient ready for indoor/outdoor plants. It didn't stated the content. I thinking do nitrate and phosphrate presented? Have you test your water?

i didn't test for any other nutrients but i suspect that even it is laced with nitrate and phosphrate, the contents is very minimal. i said so because form the out looks of my plants, even though they are bubbling and growing very fast, they have got holes on them.

[nys]

If using the soil as filter media, I think the flowrate will be greatly reduced. Am I right?