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has any one ever tried using pond soil as a substrate?
i saw some in the local diy wharehouse for $10 a bag with neutral ph and no added fertilisers or chemicals. i know theres a fertiliser called innes number 2 that is a loam based potting mix in the uk which i was recommended as safe and of good quality but we dont get that over here in oz. any body use diy substrate or is it better just to pay the big bucks and get a safe product?

Hi,
IF, you are going to use soil of any kind THEN, obtain a
copy of Diana Walstad's book, "ECOLOGY of the PLANTED
AQUARIUM," Read it, and follow it to the letter.

IF you do anything else, THEN you will have a disaster
that you will not believe.

Soil from your back yard or other places can be used
as substrates, but the organic matter that composes that
soil can create a septic tank out of your aquarium.

I tried it...Once when I was 14 and my parents made me
dismantle the tank when it smelled worse than an outhouse.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

cheers frank, i just splashed out on JBL substrate im going to cap with gravel. dont want a septic tank in the living room, and i dont think the missus would be too happy either.