Mineralized Soil Quantities

[jcali10]

I was wondering what is the best way to estimate the amount of mineralized soil needed? Some websites have calculators that can estimate the number of lbs of substrate needed, given the length, width, and number of inches of substrate desired. For example, on the Planted Tank, using their calculator, for a 20G Tall footprint (24x12) with 1 inch of silica sand requires 16 lbs of substrate. Would the calculations for silica sand work for mineralized soil also? I know you have to add clay, in an amount equal to approx. 5-10% of the mineralized soil, and a dusting of domolite and muriate of potash.

I am making some now , and may have enough, or maybe not. So I guess I am trying to calculate if I have made a sufficient amount or not.

[SCMurphy]

I think silica sand is heavier than soil. Odds are if you have done a 20 lb bag of soil you have enough available to do any tank up to the foot print of a 55 gallon tank, or a 30/40/50 gallon breeder tank. When you step up to the 75 gallon footprint and larger, you will probably need 2 20lb bags to mineralize.

[jcali10]

I think silica sand is heavier than soil. Odds are if you have done a 20 lb bag of soil you have enough available to do any tank up to the foot print of a 55 gallon tank, or a 30/40/50 gallon breeder tank. When you step up to the 75 gallon footprint and larger, you will probably need 2 20lb bags to mineralize.

An 8 oz cup of mineralized soil weighed 0.525 lbs. So about 40 cups should be enough for a 50B or 55G tank.

3M Black T-Grade Color Quartz is denser, 1 cup weighed 0.730 lbs.

Soil Master Select Pro is lighter, 1 cup weighed 0.330 lbs.

If 20 LBS of mineralized soil is sufficient for a 50B (648 sq. in) than my calculations say I would need 26.66 LBS of soil for a 75G (864 sq. in).

Sean, are your estimates for 0.5 inch or 1 inch of mineralized soil?

[SCMurphy]

My estimates are for enough soil.