This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. We are after as many aquarium plant images that we can get, doing so will assist us in completing the aquarium plant database.

    https://barrreport.com/threads/aquatic-plant-images-wanted.14374/
    Dismiss Notice

Alternative substrate? Advice needed.

Discussion in 'Are you new to aquatic plants? Start here' started by railaycat, Oct 19, 2008.

  1. railaycat

    railaycat Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    8:25 AM
    I’m hoping someone will be able to tell me if Lechuza-Pon is suitable to use as a substrate. This is a product that is supplied for planting houseplants, some of the ingredients sound similar to other things I have seen mentioned on this site and I wondered if it would work in an aquarium.

    We use Lechuza plant pots at work, but not the substrate that comes included with the pots so I have got an ample supply. I am about to set up a 260 litre tank and want to use a low light method with no CO2. My plan is grow foreground plants emersed until they form a good carpet, then fill the tank and add all the other plants. This substrate has a size and texture similar to cat litter and looks to be ideal for my purposes, but I’m worried about the fertilisers that are in it. If I cover it with a layer of sand, will it work or should I just forget it and buy a proper Aquarium mix instead?

    The details of the mix are as follows: (Taken from the Lechuza website)

    Ideal alternative to conventional potting soil. LECHUZA-PON stores added nutrients which are then released to the plants as they need them. It can also retain up to 40% of its volume in water while at the same time maintaining the optimum air pore volume. LECHUZA-PON supports aeration of the roots whilst providing optimum dosage of water to the plants.

    LECHUZA-PON plant substrate is made up of pumice, zeolites, lava and fertilizer. The following fertilizer declaration is applicable to the fertilizer: 1 liter LECHUZA-PON contains 3g slow-release fertilizer 15-9-9+3. NPK fertilizer, coated, contains magnesium and trace nutrients effective for 6-12 months. At the end of this period fertilize the plants as usual using commercial liquid fertilizer in the water.

    Any advice will be much appreciated. Thanks.
     
    #1 railaycat, Oct 19, 2008
  2. aquabillpers

    aquabillpers Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Local Time:
    8:25 AM
    The fact that the substrate is fortified with nutrients makes it a bad choice for the kind of tank that you are planning.

    Why not get a bag of the cheapest unfortified top soil that you can find, soak it for a few days (or spread it out in the sun on a sheet for a day), and put it in your tank, cappped with 2mm - 3mm gravel. That will grow plants as well as anything else and you will avoid some headaches and save a few dollars.

    Bill
     
    #2 aquabillpers, Oct 19, 2008
  3. VaughnH

    VaughnH Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    3,011
    Likes Received:
    89
    Local Time:
    8:25 AM
    LECHUZA-PON is obviously intended for terrestrial plants, so the Nitrogen in it most likely is in the form of urea or an ammonium compound, such as ammonium sulfate. That can cause big algae problems in an aquarium if any of it gets out of the substrate into the water. Other than that it looks like it might work for an aquarium, as a layer under an inert substrate.
     
    #3 VaughnH, Oct 19, 2008
  4. aquabillpers

    aquabillpers Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Local Time:
    8:25 AM
    Whatever is in the soil will eventually leak into the water column unless the soil is capped with an impermeable substance, and that would never do in a planted tank.

    I once set up a 10 gallon tank with Miracle Gro enriched potting soil capped with an inch of inert gravel. Every kind of algae grew in that tank, and grew very well too. The plants did well also but I didn't see them very often. I took the tank down after 3 months.

    Bill
     
    #4 aquabillpers, Oct 19, 2008
  5. VaughnH

    VaughnH Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    3,011
    Likes Received:
    89
    Local Time:
    8:25 AM
    I can't disagree. When I tried Leonardite (Diamond Black) I got yellow water constantly, and it was down under about 2 inches of Flourite Black sand.
     
    #5 VaughnH, Oct 19, 2008
  6. railaycat

    railaycat Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    8:25 AM
    Having read your replies I think the best thing for me is to get a decent substrate specifically designed for aquariums, rather than risk a load of problems. Shame though as i have bags of this stuff lying about.

    Many thanks for all the advice it has been very useful and probably saved me from making a big mistake.
     
    #6 railaycat, Oct 20, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Alternative substrate Advice
  1. camilocastroalvarado

    Alternative Substrate Advice

    camilocastroalvarado, Jul 5, 2013, in forum: Sediment / Substrate
    Replies:
    6
    Views:
    194
    jazzlvr123
    Jul 29, 2013
  2. brentling

    1st Post Alternative Substrate

    brentling, Sep 10, 2008, in forum: Are you new to aquatic plants? Start here
    Replies:
    16
    Views:
    177
    Tom Barr
    Sep 13, 2008
  3. Seattle_Aquarist

    Still feeding flakes? GSAS shares a video on alternatives (Pt 1)

    Seattle_Aquarist, Sep 29, 2016, in forum: Fish for Planted Tanks
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    286
    Seattle_Aquarist
    Sep 29, 2016
  4. kevinbkk

    Micro nutrients fertz alternative to CSM + B

    kevinbkk, Oct 2, 2013, in forum: Estimative Index
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    244
    kevinbkk
    Oct 3, 2013
  5. Tom Barr

    UP aqua soil, an ADA alternative

    Tom Barr, Sep 6, 2013, in forum: Sediment / Substrate
    Replies:
    28
    Views:
    2,002
    Pikez
    Sep 16, 2015

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice