Use of cocopith/coirpith as substrate

[sayantan neogi]

Hi all,

Has anybody used coco-pith/coir-pith as an aquarium under-sand/under-gravel substrate before?

My dad and I also have a keen interest in hydroponics (a form of soil-less terrestrial gardening), where this natural wonder is commonly used as grow-bed media. In India (except the North), this is an abundant and inexpensive resource. The idea is to use coir-pith 'bricks'/ husk chips as first layer and then top it off with sand/gravel (around 3 inches). From what I know, coco-pith is a rich source of both macro and micro nutrients (it does have copper though), flavonoids, natural enzymes and it promotes root growth and grip. It might promote beneficial colonies. It is also an 'ion-exchange' bank much like peat-moss. It might not be ideal for 'clear water' but will it be safe for invertebrates or even fish (given its Cu release)?

Will water column nutrient replenishment be enough for plants? Its a very tempting organic natural treasure.

Experts, your opinion on this proposition is solicited.

Here are some links I found useful on the internet:
http://www.advancedbiotech.in/A%20study_%20aug%2009.pdf
http://www.agrococo.com/Bethke/NUTRIENT ... ROCOIR.pdf
http://www.cocosubstrates.com/WhyCocopeat.html
http://www.shalimarherbals.com/cocopeat.htm
http://www.old.kerala.gov.in/keralacal_ ... g20-21.pdf
http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/org_farm/org ... mpost.html

[Romi]

This is an excellent post, Sayantan I am not sure i can claim to be an expert in the challenges of using cocopeat, having had a mediocre experience with the cocopeat brick i have had for a year now. I found it to be heavily contaminated with salt residue, and i am so tired of rinsing it over and over. But i am an avid gardener and a Greenpeace member, so I do feel glad when the wonderful coconut tree is involved (also called Kalpataru, one of the few trees given the highest respect in ancient Hindu belief systems for the life it brings to all that come to it).

The article posted in a thread on Aquapetz ealier about how devastating peatmoss harvesting can be for big chunks of global temperate-region marshes, I feel cocopeat (when uncontaminated with salt) is indeed of great interest to us as aquarists and plant lovers. What plants have you and your parent grown in it and what fertilizer do you use when the cocopeat runs dry of nutrients?

[SCORPIO]

I have used cocopeat soil as most inner layer in my planted aquariums. In the beginning days of hobby, always I mixed cocopeat with normal sand and soil in small containers to grow plants.

[sayantan neogi]

Thank you Romi and SCORPIO for your responses.

So this idea should work. The trick is to wash it really well and get rid of all the salt residue?

[sayantan neogi]

@Romi, my dad and me grow (hydroponically) tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, tulsi, and lettuce (the tasty stuff... hehe). We use tank water (from all my water changes), Maxicrop seaweed, banana peels and a neem based product (as pesticide). My dad also uses perlite. However, we have bigger plans of a terrace aquaponics system (taking time though).

[parthapratim22]

I guess maximum plants of "Tropica" are grown hydroponically link http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/c ... p?sid=3896

[Arjun Tandon]

I made a substrate with layers vermicompost, cocopeat and clay
All my plants and fish are doing well so far
Marsilea Hirsuta which was not growing well in gravel has resumed growth and is forming a nice carpet
It's worth a try I'd say as it doesn't compact and allows plants roots to penetrate and take a grip easily

[sayantan neogi]

thanks guys for your feedback. looks like i'll give it a go. will keep you posted...

[Romi]

@sayantan

All cocopeat is not contaminated with salt. I believe the better the brand, the less likely it is to be. The cocopeat i got from a friend (he gave me a worm culture i had lost) was clean of residue. If your plants don't grow, then that might be the reason Better to rinse and be sure, right?

BTW, We must be kindred spirits Those are exactly my late father's passions and my own passsions you mention as you and your dad's. How nice. ....

The future is organically-grown veggies, herbs, greenery. This not only eliminates many carbon footprints, but also saves us from the daily barrage of pollutants via insecticide residue in veggies we eat and similar agents.... Dad and I used to imagine plastic sheeting ponds in the terrace of our new home, plants, Tilapia, lilies, ..........one massive revolt against the mindless commercialization of food sources and our surroundings, even if it was only a tiny bit of terrace we sequestered our little haven in. ...

[deepesh]

Integrated aquaculture is the word. Two words.