What Aquarium Soil Should I Use.

So I am moving house and to move my tank I will be draining my tank completely, and moving my fish in there water in a bucket as I am only moving down the street. As I have plants in my aquarium, I was thinking about purchasing some aquarium soil. But as it would be a large job to add the soil to the tank and would probably mean I would have to start my aquarium from scratch, but as I am moving house it will give me the opportunity to add some plant soil, (which I believe would really benifit my tank) . And fill the tank back up with its own water and add the same filter so that it will keep it’s beneficial bacteria and will mean that I will not have to start the nitrate cycle all over again.

I was just wondering what is the best plant soil to use for my tank, I would like some that has long lasting ferlization and is ammonia free and will not effect my tank PH. I have a 5o Litre tank (14 gallon,I believe) and I currently have a variety of large plant in my tank.

Also I was wondering if I should add some gravel on top of the plant soil. Or is this a bad idea.

For reference:
I have 4 adult plattie’s and two fry plattie’s which are currently in a sectioned of area in the tank (fry net).

Thank you for your help,please feel free to ask any questions.

 

I moved two tanks last week also change substrate soil completely I used Fluval Plant Stratum on bottom tank about two inches and than I use Carib-Sea-Eco-Complete for rest of it.. results after 5 days plants coming out of tank..

 

I can't think of a soil that has long lasting fertilization that also doesn't affect ph. All will lower it into the 6s. Except organic potting soil for terrestrial plants, which does require a sand/fine gravel cap to prevent leeching. You can google the Walstad method for more info on this

 

I can't think of a soil that has long lasting fertilization that also doesn't affect ph. All will lower it into the 6s. Except organic potting soil for terrestrial plants, which does require a sand/fine gravel cap to prevent leeching. You can google the Walstad method for more info on this

Thank you, I am sure that it raising the PH slightly won’t effect it too much.

 

I can't think of a soil that has long lasting fertilization that also doesn't affect ph. All will lower it into the 6s. Except organic potting soil for terrestrial plants, which does require a sand/fine gravel cap to prevent leeching. You can google the Walstad method for more info on this

I was thinking about fluval stratum,do you know about this and if so what do you think about it,I have read that I should not mix it with other gravel on top and should be very careful when using a sython to change the water. This product will reduce to PH to were it should be and is ideal for aquarium plants, however it says that It is not suitable for goldfish cichlids and other fish like those however I believe the fish I take care of will be fine, I take care of some plattie and it does not say that you can not have them.

 

I was thinking about fluval stratum,do you know about this and if so what do you think about it,I have read that I should not mix it with other gravel on top and should be very careful when using a sython to change the water. This product will reduce to PH to were it should be and is ideal for aquarium plants, however it says that It is not suitable for goldfish cichlids and other fish like those however I believe the fish I take care of will be fine, I take care of some plattie and it does not say that you can not have them.

Yes, it's pretty good, though ADA soils are a lot better. Stratum will lower ph to about 6.5 I believe. Platies usually like harder water I think, but soils don't affect GH, only KH. No gravel on top, and you can just wave the siphon around above the soil so you don't disturb it and cloud the water.

 

Yes, it's pretty good, though ADA soils are a lot better. Stratum will lower ph to about 6.5 I believe. Platies usually like harder water I think, but soils don't affect GH, only KH. No gravel on top, and you can just wave the siphon around above the soil so you don't disturb it and cloud the water.

Thank you,and do I have to wait for it to settle before putting my fish back in.

Yes, it's pretty good, though ADA soils are a lot better. Stratum will lower ph to about 6.5 I believe. Platies usually like harder water I think, but soils don't affect GH, only KH. No gravel on top, and you can just wave the siphon around above the soil so you don't disturb it and cloud the water.

I think ADA is a little out my price range.

 

Thank you,and do I have to wait for it to settle before putting my fish back in.

I think ADA is a little out my price range.

I think it would be a good idea to wait
Yeah, price is often the reason why people decide not to get ADA.

 

I use this Flora base pro for my shrimp tanks, again expensive this bag £54 and will need changing every 2 years but it keeps my ph steady at 6.5 and plants love it