Need help choosing soil for Walstad type tank

[evut]

I am preparing a new planted tank which is going to have a layer of soil and sand.

I have been reading about the Walstad method online and even found a recommendation of soil/compost products (Walstad method - The Aquarium Wiki) but I can't get the exact ones in my local DIY store (Homebase doesn't sell Miracle Gro Organic).

I bought a bag of Homebase Organic Compost but when I was going to open it to air it I noticed it really stinks, kind of like manure...even through the bag.. There is no useful description of what's in it, just "rich organic matter". I don't think it is right for the tank.
Could anybody tell what might be suitable?
This is what they sell: Homebase

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Molch]

I would think any nice organic potting soil should do. I set up my first Walstad tank with Whitney Farms organic potting soil and subsequent ones with Miracle grow. I would just pick a brand that doesn't have the little perlite thingies in it and contains no added fertilizer.
All organic potting soils should have some kind of manure in it, but as long as it is well composted, it should be ok

 

[RobM]

I recently setup a walstad style tank for my girlfriends fish. We couldnt find an appropriate soil either, so we tried tetraplant: aquarium soil - Google Search

It seems to be working ok, but it has only been setup for about 3 weeks.

 

[evut]

Molch, I wonder if the smell of manure could mean that it is not composted enough? I was looking at the products in Homebase again and am wondering if topsoil might be better. I have some of the regular compost and I am sure it wouldn't be good either, it looks like parts of it would float actually, it's very light with a lot of fibrous stuff.

Rob, thanks for the link. I had Tetra Complete Substrate in a tank before but I changed it because it has little stones which worried me. I also don't think you could cover it with sand, which is what I'd like to do with the soil.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I used garden soil for mine and every thing has been fine. I had looked for the compost recommended but couldn't find it anywhere. I topped mine off with sand, but I should have used more. A certain newt likes to explore for the odd escaped worm. I wonder if it might be worth trialing what you have in a small set up for a few weeks?

 

[evut]

Certain parent newts also like to root around the tank like piggies...I can see what you mean.

A trial of some sort would definitely be a good idea (if I can find a spare container).
I will try to get some soil out of my garden but will probably have to mix it with something bought - I think I would go for the Homebase Topsoil.
I have read about problems people have after using the wrong type of soil and feel that the manure odour might be a warning.

 

[Davo]

I use B and Qs own brand peat free multi purpose compost, it has a sunflower on the bag.I mix it with coco fibre 60- 40, i have used it for about 2 yrs and itworks well for me.:happy:

 

[evut]

Martin, are you talking about aquatic substrate? It sounds strange with the coco coir.

 

[totallyrad]

I am about to set one up as well in a 10 gallon also with one layer of dirt and one layer of sand.

Everything I read said just to use normal top soil so I went a bought a bag of it for a couple dollars.
Not sure where you would find this where you live but it's pretty common here.

I will be setting it up this weekend hopefully :] Please post pictures once you get yours set up!

Are you going to be housing any fish or anything in it?

 

[Davo]

Sorry guys, cross wires, this is what i use for terrestrial set ups not aquatic.

 

[evut]

Ok, that explains it, Martin :happy:

totallyrad, this will be a large tank for my T. marmoratus group. I will definitely post pictures once it's set up. Topsoil is also sold here so I am going to buy some and mix it with stuff from my garden. Good luck with your set up.

 

[evut]

It turned out the bag of organic compost smelled of manure because they stored it with manure in the shop!

When we opened the bag the soil itself smelled normal. In the end we used half of this organic compost and half of topsoil. The tank has been running for about two weeks and so far it's been without problems - no discolouration, ammonia stays near zero.

 

[Jesper]

Brave to try soil, I invariably get massive amounts of algae when I try the Walstad. You just have to cram in so many fast growing plants in there in the beginning. Are you getting any algae, how much plants do you use and which plant species? I feel like trying this again now...

 

[Bellabelloo]

I used regular garden soil with a layer of sand on top, I don't think I put enough sand on top though. I planted Vallis, Pennywort and a few other aquarium plants, with some kind of free floating Java moss. The Vallis has established its self really well. I also have tradescantia that was planted on a land area and that has sent roots into the water. I had a small problem with some blanket weed that attached itself to the moss, and that's it. My little Pyrrho do occasionally decide to dig in the soil, but so far its not caused any problems.

 

[Fepl]

Is there a reason why you use sand instead of gravel with a very small grain besides the chance of health problems when swallowed by your newts?

I'm thinking about setting up a tank for C. orientalis and i'd like to use the Walstad method too. I'm not sure what kind of sand/gravel i should use though. Do you use really fine sand or does it have a pretty big grain? I'm having some trouble deciding what grain to choose as i have no experience with C. orientalis and it's hard to estimate their size. I'm even doubting between gravel with a very small grain or sand...