Can I use regular dirt as aquarium substrate/?

7 Responses to “Can I use regular dirt as aquarium substrate/?”

1. Slaindrake says:

   March 13, 2010 at 8:05 pm

   no
2. catx says:

   March 13, 2010 at 8:46 pm

   Be wary, very wary, I wouldn’t personally unless you know exactly how that soil has been produced. It could have all sorts of properties which may boost, say, the nitrates to a point it kills off your fish!

   If you want ferts for a planted tank look into specially designed for planted tanks like Flourite, these shouldn’t effect things like nitrate and be both beneficial for the plants and harmless for the fish and inverts!
3. Arleen says:

   March 13, 2010 at 9:38 pm

   Don’t use dirt or your fishes water will always be dirty and will cause your fish to die.
4. Ianab says:

   March 13, 2010 at 10:31 pm

   I suggest you dont, it will turn to mud and your tank will look like a swamp.

   You can use potting mix which is a chunkier mix of bark, pummice rock and compost then cover that with a layer of gravel.

   But just dirt, going to be MESSY.

   Ian
5. Diomand says:

   March 13, 2010 at 11:11 pm

   No,it will kill you fish.The water will be dirty.Use rocks,gravel,or sand(even live sand!).Hope this helps!:)
6. neoalanmi says:

   March 13, 2010 at 11:29 pm

   Peat is sometimes used as substrate (usually with gravel or sand on top) – but regular dirt from outside, don’t. Read up on fish websites to figure out what exactly is safe
7. Aphotic says:

   March 13, 2010 at 11:35 pm

   Research the “Walstad Method”, developed by Diana Walstad, in which potting soil (topped with gravel) is used as an aquarium substrate for planted aquariums.

   If you aren’t planning on having a planted tank however, I wouldn’t recommend using soil. The mess involved is a big enough negative to avoid it, not to mention the potential for contamination, etc.