Planing to setup new 2 feet planted tank

[maaz]

Hello guys need your help..

I am planing to make new 2 feet planted tank...i want to use DIY Substrate..i want to know what i good DIY Substrate which is helpfull to my plants and how much it will be use in my 2 feet tank..

Things which available here:-
1) Coco Peat moss
2) Peat moss(very hard to find this one...got at one fertilizers shop)
3) Potassium

Things which are NOT available here:-
1) Laterite
2) soilrite

Guys now tell me what is good way of making good DIY Substrate for my tank ..

Your help and advise are welcome

[rahul_sood]

yes ditto query from my side...
here i have arrange
1)cocopeat,
2)some good quality pesticide free soil,
3)mixture of vermicompost, sand and soil
4)and vermicompost..
can i use vermicompost as diy substrate?? and is there any use of that moss which is avalabile in nurseries, with which they tie money plants and other creeping plants?

[marsaiko]

What soil is found in Bhopal??

[maaz]

Its red and black buddy..

[sushant]

i have used normal garden soil in my tank with very good result. so even if laterite is not available you may use a thin layer of garden soil mixed with cocopeat and golden sand as the top layer.

[rahul_sood]

golden sand is also not available can use silver construction sand???
and plz tell about vermicompos..

[maaz]

how much used in 2 feet tank..

[marsaiko]

Its red and black buddy..

Red is fine, I have used it to good effect.

golden sand is also not available can use silver construction sand???
and plz tell about vermicompos..

Any INERT sand is fine, if you dont want to waste money.
Just seieve(filter) and take large grain 3-6mm size

how much used in 2 feet tank..

2ft tank?? whats the breadth?

If its= 30cm you ll need as

30cmX60cmX 4cm(4cm=height of soil)
=7200
So thats 7.2 liters, if you are using crypts/swords at background, add in 2 liters more for the slope effect.
1liter = 1 bathing mug volume.

[maaz]

OK thanks marsaiko....

[SCORPIO]

You can easily find black soil in the outer areas of Bhopal. Black soil is a iron rich soil and you can use it in your tank. One guy in Delhi have used black soil in the planted tank and the result was amazing. Use cocopeat as bottom layer, Black soil as medium layer and any type of gravel/sand as the upper layer. I have also seen black soil near "Bada Talab" lake in Bhopal before 5-6 years. I have read that the ADA substrate is also made up by black soil.