Soil and fert sold in home improvement stores i.e. Lowe's

Does any one use this stuff that is sold in stores like Lowe's or home depot even Walmart? Anything like that? Can you even use this stuff in planted fish tanks?

 

You can use Osmocote Plus ferts. They're sold at Lowe's. Some potting soils work too.

 

Ok in thinking about redoing the substrate in my tank to dirt and fert verses black sand

 

If you do dirt, you don't need to add root tabs. If you keep your sand, you should add root tabs for the root feeders.

Personally I like the sand + root tab route. It's a much easier setup than a dirted tank.

 

What do you think would save me money in the long run

 

What do you think would save me money in the long run

Dirt eventually runs out of nutrients, so you'd need to root tabs at some point. The root tabs I use are super cheap. Not sure which one is actually cheaper though.

 

Enriched soils are always better than just using root tabs, since they create an environment more conducive to plant growth. That said, there are many tanks out there with great growth and no soil enrichment. Its just a matter of keeping ferts in the system. I know a guy who did a full dwarf hairgrass carpet on black blasting sand with no substrate amendments.

As for the soil to use, if you go that route, I typically go with miracle gro organic choice potting mix.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Enriched soils are always better than just using root tabs, since they create an environment more conducive to plant growth. That said, there are many tanks out there with great growth and. No soil

Sent from my LG-D850 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

Yeah but do I have to us what the fish store sells or can I use stuff from home Depot or Lowe's and what not

 

I edited my post and added more stuff. I hit send a little early.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Yeah but do I have to us what the fish store sells or can I use stuff from home Depot or Lowe's and what not

Look at the last part of Jeta's answer.

 

Cool thanks I will do some more research and go from there.