Comments on: Can I use regular dirt as aquarium substrate/?

By: Aphotic

Aphotic — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:35:52 +0000

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.

By: neoalanmi

neoalanmi — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:29:45 +0000

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

By: Diomand

Diomand — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:11:32 +0000

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

By: Ianab

Ianab — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:31:25 +0000

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

By: Arleen

Arleen — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:38:30 +0000

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

By: catx

catx — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:46:12 +0000

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!

By: Slaindrake

Slaindrake — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:05:26 +0000