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Cheap substrate

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by JadeButterfly, Jan 5, 2006.

  1. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    I was wondering what is the best substrate for the buck.

    I have a 35G tall tank (30")...it will have co2 and about 3wpg of light.

    I've read about the soilmaster select, but i'm not too sure where I am going to find that product in Canada.

    I've remember reading about using onyx sand + mulm + peat shavings etc. on another thread...I wonder if this method is still good?

    I'm looking for about 3" of substrate...so what is the best suggestion for substrate?

    thanks.
     
    #1 JadeButterfly, Jan 5, 2006
  2. Simpte

    Simpte Prolific Poster

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Turface/Soilmaster
    $12.00 for a 50lb bag. :)
     
    #2 Simpte, Jan 6, 2006
  3. Cornhusker

    Cornhusker Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    GO to LESCO.COM and give your zipcode,it will automatically give dealer in your area.no shipping costs that way. regards,cornhusker :) :)
     
    #3 Cornhusker, Jan 6, 2006
  4. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Nope, LESCO.com only works for the US. Doesn't accept Canadian postal code :(
     
    #4 JadeButterfly, Jan 6, 2006
  5. Cornhusker

    Cornhusker Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Jade, i spoke with the dealer close to me and he suggested you call the corporate office at 1 800 833 6855. the closest to border would be detroit,mi. also if that dealer has in stock will not charge for shipping if picked up.in my area 50lb bag is $16.03.still at the price of the product with shipping,much cheeper than ec.and i'm told it is a lot more uniform than ec. regards,cornhusker :) :)
     
    #5 Cornhusker, Jan 6, 2006
  6. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Cheap substrate

    We have 40 bags here in Sac, 16$ ea, grey SM pro league.

    Come and get it.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #6 Tom Barr, Jan 6, 2006
  7. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    so Cornhusker, what do you suggest me doing? lol...

    I don't really go down to the states...and I'm in Ontario...still pretty far from detroit just for a 50lb substrate.
     
    #7 JadeButterfly, Jan 7, 2006
  8. Amitava Chakraborty

    Amitava Chakraborty Junior Poster

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Hi,

    Can any of the dealer of soilmaster ship that item to India? We are having no supply of that here.

    regards
    Amitava
     
    #8 Amitava Chakraborty, Jan 7, 2006
  9. Cornhusker

    Cornhusker Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Jade, if tom barr has this product,see how much shipping you would encounter to your address. make sure you order enough.get his zipcode.in the long run you still have to be cheeper than flourite and ec. good luck! regards,cornhusker :) :)
     
    #9 Cornhusker, Jan 7, 2006
  10. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    how about turface? what is the difference between regular hydroponic turface compare to soilmaster?

    thanks.
     
    #10 JadeButterfly, Jan 7, 2006
  11. Cornhusker

    Cornhusker Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Jade, tom barr has compared a lot of substrates,he can chime in here and be the expert on that question.regards,cornhusker :) :)
     
    #11 Cornhusker, Jan 8, 2006
  12. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    good news :) seems like a local aquarist is also interested in soilmaster select and is willing to drive down to the states to pick one up for me and himself. he is asking $10 for gas, $15 for substrate.

    great deal :)

    ill let you guys know how it turns out.
     
    #12 JadeButterfly, Jan 9, 2006
  13. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Do you have SeaChem in India?
    You might look around at some place that sell products for sports fields, and turf management.

    We'd have little issue shipping it, but it would take awhile and the shipping would kill you.

    Given the low weight is an advantage, but I think the ADA soil would run about the same in most cases, that can be shipped from Singapore fairly easily.

    I will say that the Florabase is some of the worst substrate I've used.
    I know Luis hates it also, I've used it in the past but not side by comarisons and good attention to the water column/nutrients etc.

    Two thumbs down.

    SM and ADA soils, two thumbs up.
    Onyx sand and Flourite, two thumbs up.

    These and sand are about the only things I suggest, well, soil/peat/mulm etc.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #13 Tom Barr, Jan 9, 2006
  14. Amitava Chakraborty

    Amitava Chakraborty Junior Poster

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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Tom,

    Sorry Tom, None of those beautiful things are available in India. Only I Find Florabase here. We are using laterite and natural gravel for our tanks. But the results are not upto the mark.

    I will try to contact singapore friends for the products.

    I want to have a 4'/1.5'/1.5' tank with 4" substrate.

    If I want to get soilmaster from your side what will be approx cost with shipping ?

    regards
     
    #14 Amitava Chakraborty, Jan 9, 2006
  15. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Cheap substrate

    Shipping to the other side of the world will be a great deal.

    You should look around locally first. Then everyone there can use what you find. All these products are relatively cheap that are made for aquariums, but the shipping is what cost the most.

    If you were to have something shipped, I'd suggest the ADA amazonia soil, I'd get 3- maybe 4 bags, that would run about 100$ for you tank.

    By using rich EI + CO2 mist, you should be able to grow things with sand, that was all I used for decades and I had very good success.
    See below a tank from 10 years ago.
     

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    #15 Tom Barr, Jan 9, 2006
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