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Humus as a base substrate

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by Amitava Chakraborty, Jan 24, 2006.

  1. Amitava Chakraborty

    Amitava Chakraborty Junior Poster

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    Hi,

    I have got a packet of humus from my lfs. It is a product of prodac of Italy.

    You can goto their website at http://www.prodac.it/english/dolce7.htm

    Do anybody use this?

    Can I use humus as a base substrate which I will cover with laterite and natural gravel ?

    regards
     
    #1 Amitava Chakraborty, Jan 24, 2006
  2. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Humus as a base substrate

    A light dusting, treat like ground peat, will work.
    Adding more will make a huge mess.

    A little will decompose and add some carbon to the substrate for the bacteria to help cycle the tank in the first few months, till plant decayed leaves, fish waste etc supply it, adding mulm along with the bottom of peat/humus will help cycle the tank instantly pretty much.

    So add a handfull per sq ft of tank bottom, add some mulm(fresh filter sponge squeezings, or the dirt in the bottom of bucket after gravel vacuuming the substrate from an older tank.) , then cap with gravel.

    Laterite really does not do much to help really.
    It does prevent anaerobic conditions to some degree, but so do thriving roots, adding traces to the water column will supply enough Fe though.
    Still, a little will not hurt either.


    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #2 Tom Barr, Jan 24, 2006
  3. Amitava Chakraborty

    Amitava Chakraborty Junior Poster

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    Re: Humus as a base substrate

    Thanks Tom,

    Should I boil the humus prior to use it ?

    As per your suggestion, I will not use laterite. I will put handful of humus persquare foot and top up with 3"-4" layer of 2-3 mm natural gravel.

    regards
     
    #3 Amitava Chakraborty, Jan 24, 2006
  4. jerime

    jerime Member

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    Re: Humus as a base substrate

    Tom, I've seen some folks adding a lot of that and peat to the substrate (2 inch layer). Is there something that is called too much? if so, what are the down sides?
     
    #4 jerime, Jan 26, 2006
  5. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Humus as a base substrate

    See the part about making a big mess and also ask yourself why might you need so much.

    Peat offers little in the way of nutrients.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #5 Tom Barr, Jan 26, 2006
  6. srozell

    srozell Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Humus as a base substrate

    Do we have to pay any royaties to Tom for using humus in our substrate? :D
     
    #6 srozell, Jan 27, 2006
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