Tyger wrote:
I was wondering a couple of things:
- What's New - Although I have done a little research on variations or options including oven heating to evaporate and sifting and worm casting, I was wondering whether there are any critical updates or improvements in the process (heating and sifting aside as I will do these things).
- CO2 Supplement - I am about to finish out a pressurized system I can use to supplement several tanks. According to Walstad, I am looking at a faster depletion of soil. I was wondering what our members collective experience has been with this combination (i.e., CO2 Supplement w/Mineralized Soil).
- CaribSea Eco-Complete - As I have an abundance of eco-complete, I was wondering about using it to cap the soil rather than gravel or sand. Any thoughts?
- Dolomite & Muriate Potash - As I understand it, Dolomite will provide calcium and magnesium and potash will provide potassium though some supplementation of potassium will be necessary. Again, I was wondering what our members experience has found. How long will each last relative to the soil? In addition, I was wondering whether crushing-up mineralized rock to add into the domolite and muriated potash - overkill? dolomite = mineralized?
Okay, I think that does it for now... thanks, in advance, for taking a moment to share your wisdom?
~Tyger (Michael)~
Improvements- I don't believe that there have been any improvements or significant modifications to the process, it works extremely well if the guide is followed closely.
co2 supplementation- yes it is true that co2 makes the plants grow faster and therefore causes them to use up nutrients in the substrate faster. However I can say from personal experience, that mineralized soil is by far the richest and longest lasting substrate (nutrient wise) when compared to any commercial substrate offerings. That being said, all substrates will reduce and eventually deplete in nutrients over time. In my 40br with mineralized soil high light, co2 it was about 8 months before I started dosing and even then it was just light dosing.
Eco-complete - You can use anything to cap the mineralized soil (3m Colorquartz, Eco Complete, Aquasoil, Flourite, any type of sand) basically your choice of capping material comes down to cost, availability, and aesthetic. Eco Complete would be a good choice.
Dolomite & Potash - The dolomite is to prevent the soil from becoming to acidic in addition to the Ca and Mg(not an issue in the first place unless your water is extremely soft) You are correct that potassium is depleted first in mineralized soil, and will have to be dosed first. You wont have to worry about that for a long time (3-6mo), and when you do, it will be in small amounts.
Two tips, I wasn't able to keep shrimps of any kind for 6 months or so, I believe this was due to the potash, not sure on that one.
Second, make sure you wet/dry enough times, if you don't there will still be un-mineralized organics in the soil that that will break down and cause the buildup and release of gas in the substrate.
There are members way more qualified to answer your questions then me including Sean who actually came up with the method after studying wetland soils.
