what dirt for dirted tank?

[Jacob Hill-Legion Aquatics]

what kind of dirt do you use for a dirted tank? also if you have any tips on dirted tanks please leave them below!

[KittenFishMom]

I used organic miracle grow potting soil I put some in media bags and some lose on the bottom of the tank, then capped it with black sand. The plants are growing like crazy, but it is hard to keep the pH from dropping.  You can tell when the plant roots reach the soil, they suddenly  start growing very fast. You can not gravel vac a dirted tank. @Streetwise knows a lot about dirted tanks.

[JettsPapa]

I go out to the barn near my house and get some dry cow manure (which of course contains a unknown percentage of plain dirt), put it evenly at least 1" deep in the bottom of the tank, and cap with 2" of either pool filter sand or Black Diamond sandblasting sand, depending on what color I want.  I know not everyone has access to that, but I believe just about any potting soil would work.

[Jacob Hill-Legion Aquatics]

On 3/14/2023 at 1:38 AM, KittenFishMom said:

I used organic miracle grow potting soil I put some in media bags and some lose on the bottom of the tank, then capped it with black sand. The plants are growing like crazy, but it is hard to keep the pH from dropping.  You can tell when the plant roots reach the soil, they suddenly  start growing very fast. You can not gravel vac a dirted tank. @Streetwise knows a lot about dirted tanks.

I’ve heard when ever doing a dirted tank you should mix in crushed coral with the dirt to avoid any ph problems

[KittenFishMom]

@Jacob Hill-Legion Aquatics Do you know how much coral? I put shrimp in one of the 2 tanks and have been warning that crushed oral can cause shrimp problems because of too much calcium. It is a 10 gallon tank.  The other one is a 55. That should would have saved me a bunch of headaches.

Edited March 15, 2023 by KittenFishMom

[Jacob Hill-Legion Aquatics]

On 3/14/2023 at 8:38 PM, KittenFishMom said:

@Jacob Hill-Legion Aquatics Do you know how much coral? I put shrimp in one of the 2 tanks and have been warning that crushed oral can cause shrimp problems because of too much calcium. It is a 10 gallon tank.  The other one is a 55. That should would have saved me a bunch of headaches.

1 pound per 10 gallons

[JettsPapa]

On 3/14/2023 at 9:20 PM, Jacob Hill-Legion Aquatics said:

I’ve heard when ever doing a dirted tank you should mix in crushed coral with the dirt to avoid any ph problems

I hadn't heard that, and don't put any in mine.  Maybe that recommendation is for people with low pH and/or gh and kh?

[Miska]

I am a total newb but I bought Aquascape Pond Aquatic Plant Potting Media, 432 cubic inches

 

[Streetwise]

I get most of my topsoil from a local compost company. I just use my hands to sort out any larger pieces. I don’t mind some wood bits in my substrate. I prefer a gravel cap.

[rockfisher]

I got the cheapest organic soil from the local nursery. I ran it through some hardware to get the biggest pieces out. I have never added anything else and not run into any ph issues. I personally am not crazy about dirted tanks. I have one and it does well. I have noticed that I get the best root grow in Black Diamond Blasting Sand and second is One of the eco soils. I used eco complete. I did an experiment with substrates with eco complete,BDBS, and pea gravel. I just set up a tank with white sand,BDBS, and dirt. 
the dirted tanks only last a short time. Like the eco soils. 2-4 years and the substrate needs to be changed out. It’s fun to do a dirted tank and you should give heck. When talking about plants I was only speaking on root growth. You will see good top growth when they reach the soil as long as it has a good organic content that will break down to provide the nutrients needed. That all so determines how long the soil will last. After the organics in the soil are broken down it stops being use full. There is one topic that few discuss when doing a dirted tank is that many of the organisms that break soils down on land use oxygen. Once it’s in the water much more of that break down is done anaerobically (without oxygen). This produces hydrogen sulfides. These are not great for fish. So just beware that you may have to provide extra oxygen to your fish. 

[AllFishNoBrakes]

I used Miracle Grow Organic soil. Ran it through a screen to remove any larger pieces and have really fine dirt. 1/4” inch of dirt on the bottom with a gravel cap.

Only a heater and a light are on this tank. No filter, no fertilizer. Just a dirt bed, a heater, and a good light. Tank is about 16 months old at this point. Pearl Weed has taken over but it’s fine by me. Here’s some pics 

Edited March 16, 2023 by AllFishNoBrakes

[Mary W.]

Your pearlweed is beautiful - sounds like you grew this without CO2?

[AllFishNoBrakes]

@Mary W. Correct! No C02 in this tank. 

[Birdsnstuff]

This is my most recent dirt tank. I floated the big chunks and most of the perlite off of an organic potting soil and covered it with a larger sand. I have another tank that is about 20 years old with just plain dirt from the yard covered with gravel/sand. The potting soil tank was much easier (plus I know a lot more now).