hey FishVixen..........

Earlier today you gave me some tips about starting some small planted tanks.... quick question....

do you rinse the poting soil before you put it in the tank or not????

maybe a dumb question but i've never put dirt in a fishtank before

by the way... I have no idea how to send a personal message on this forum

You want to boil the soil use top soil not potting..potting has alot of chemicals included (aka fertilizers) that might hurt your fish.It also has little foam pearls of fertilizer that want to float around your tank and clog your brand new canister filter....No I swear never happened to me never..

To boil it stick some in a pillow case put the pillow case in the water let it boil...you can tie a loose knot in the top of the pillowcase.

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Potting soil be sure there are no additive like fertilizer. (usually the cheapest has none). I put about an inch to 2 inches in the bottom add a little water just to pack it. No rinsing. then cover all the soil with a layer of pea gravel. (1/4th to 1/2 inches). Put in about an inch of water over the stones. start planting plants and decorate. I put a piece of plastic wrap over everything and slowly pour the water on the plastic and fill your tank then add the fish don't wait to add fish as the plants need the ammonia. This tank was an instant cycle it never showed ammonia. Your tank may look murky for a few days but will settle. Run a HOB and it will clear up quickly. Mine is over 2 years now.

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You can use potting soil. Top soil has a larger amount of twigs and leaves so it softens your water but can also leach tannins into the water and create yellow or brown water if you use top soil you boil it to get the tannins out.

how about sand in top of the soil? potting soil? do u guys recomed eny brand?

I agree! super Advice!!

Cheapest potting soil you can find. Sand has a tendency to collect gas under the sand so I prefer gravel.

even if your using live plants vix?

FishVixen wrote:

boil it to get the tannins out.

But why would you want to do that???? ;o)

Yes with live plants as it' poisonous methane type gas that builds up in the soil and needs to be released. If you use sand (which I have in 2 tanks) use a chop stick and punch the sand to release the gas once a week.

James0816 wrote:

FishVixen wrote:

boil it to get the tannins out.

But why would you want to do that???? ;o)

Yeah you want to boil the soil...you never know what growing/living on it....tons of tannins left after boiling

You only need to boil top soil. Not potting soil.

I was just funnin about boiling to remove the tannins. I personally like the tannins.

Set up the first of the three tanks yesterday. Looks pretty good. Definately have tannins but I kind of like it. It looks natural. Moved a couple of fish in from my 50g and they seem fine. Gotta wait another 3 weeks before I set up the other two tanks...

Thanks all for all the advice!!!!

I did learn that out here in Vegas my aquatic plant selection is very limited... any suggestions on where to get plants online for future tanks?

schmidtylv wrote:

Definately have tannins but I kind of like it. It looks natural.

YES!! I have converted another one! My missions are successfull after all. Soon everyone will have tannins!!

I get my plants from others on the forms as you pay less and usually bigger and better plant. This time of year though it's to cold to ship. If you want a specific plant try aquabid.