clay for dirted tank

[Jamie McGrath]

Hi has anyone set up a dirted tank? if so did you add clay, what type of clay did you use, where did you get the clay and how do you mix it in with the soil?

 

[sciencefiction]

I got mine a few years back. The one you should search for is Red Earthenware powdered clay, should be natural, no additives that they may use for pottery.
I couldn't find powdered one at the time so got normal clay. With a bit of effort one can mix it with the soil once some water is added. It's not a big deal.

Here is a sample website where they sell clay:
http://www.bathpotters.co.uk/red-earthenware-powdered-clay-11352/p1813

 

[Jamie McGrath]

I got mine a few years back. The one you should search for is Red Earthenware powdered clay, should be natural, no additives that they may use for pottery.
I couldn't find powdered one at the time so got normal clay. With a bit of effort one can mix it with the soil once some water is added. It's not a big deal.

Here is a sample website where they sell clay:
http://www.bathpotters.co.uk/red-earthenware-powdered-clay-11352/p1813

Thanks for the reply, I just had a look through your Nano Walstad journal. It seems all the plants grew well and even without co2. I think im going to give this dirted tank a go.

 

[sciencefiction]

Hey Jamie, yes, give it a go. You need the clay to be 5-10% of the total substrate. I'd also recommend that one uses topsoil and not compost. It just avoids all the algae troubles at the start. If the soil is mineralized, you won't get any algae, unnoticeable diatoms the most.
My little tank is still going, only that the anubias in it overtook the entire tank.