120 Gallon tank SUBSTRATE HELP!

hi guys really need some urgent help setting up my 120gallon tank.

ok im either using a sump or a canister filter (eheim )

i am thinking of growing GLosso, hairgrass and HC all together in the same thank.

i already have some soil, think its repackaged magicsoil 10kg and 60kg of lapis sand with about 10kg plus of river pebbles.

i understand the need of using expensive soil such as ADA aqua soil and all.

could some kind soul out there set me on a better direction on how to lower the cost of the substrate (buffering by mixing with inert lapis :P)

basically need some help to determine how to do up the substrate.

Thanks for all your help fellow forumers.

[Neurogen]

Originally Posted by steroiduser88

hi guys really need some urgent help setting up my 120gallon tank.

ok im either using a sump or a canister filter (eheim )

i am thinking of growing GLosso, hairgrass and HC all together in the same thank.

i already have some soil, think its repackaged magicsoil 10kg and 60kg of lapis sand with about 10kg plus of river pebbles.

i understand the need of using expensive soil such as ADA aqua soil and all.

could some kind soul out there set me on a better direction on how to lower the cost of the substrate (buffering by mixing with inert lapis :P)

basically need some help to determine how to do up the substrate.

Thanks for all your help fellow forumers.

You can try using lapis as the inner substrate (add initial fertilizer sticks/balls) and overlay the sides and top with ADA soil to cover the lapis sand.

Originally Posted by steroiduser88

hi guys really need some urgent help setting up my 120gallon tank.

ok im either using a sump or a canister filter (eheim )

i am thinking of growing GLosso, hairgrass and HC all together in the same thank.

i already have some soil, think its repackaged magicsoil 10kg and 60kg of lapis sand with about 10kg plus of river pebbles.

i understand the need of using expensive soil such as ADA aqua soil and all.

could some kind soul out there set me on a better direction on how to lower the cost of the substrate (buffering by mixing with inert lapis :P)

basically need some help to determine how to do up the substrate.

Thanks for all your help fellow forumers.

You could use JBL fert as the base and then cover with Lapis, probably one of the cheapest way

JBL fert? was thinking of going ADA. haha
cause its like idiot proof. just finished rescaping one of my tanks. backbreaking hairgrass planting man
haha

anyway i spoke to a colleague and he recommended me using Lapis mix with the soil i have and pump it up using initial ferts. place the big river pebbles below and then fill the gap with the "souped up" soil.

followed by nice ADA soil on top and then another layer of lapis.

What do you guys think? I am going shopping at Qian Hu the day after. office outing lol. so will check out the soil they carry too.

Originally Posted by steroiduser88

JBL fert? was thinking of going ADA. haha
cause its like idiot proof. just finished rescaping one of my tanks. backbreaking hairgrass planting man
haha

anyway i spoke to a colleague and he recommended me using Lapis mix with the soil i have and pump it up using initial ferts. place the big river pebbles below and then fill the gap with the "souped up" soil.

followed by nice ADA soil on top and then another layer of lapis.

What do you guys think? I am going shopping at Qian Hu the day after. office outing lol. so will check out the soil they carry too.

Seriously, nothing is idiot proof.

i am in the process of setting up a 150g planted. First time doing. Realised that I will be using at least 5 packets of 9L aqua soil and 1 pkt of Power Sand. Thought of cheaper option before too, but feel is not worth the risk, cause resetting everything will be a disaster.

Anyway, do note that you need 2-3 inch of soil so that planting is easy or more secure.

call mecrazy haha but i need a mountain
starting from about 1-2 inches at borders and 6-8 inches in center of tank. doing a partition tank hence the headache.

im earning like 500 a month and buying ada soil like that would have me eating grass. lol
anyone with any tried and tested cheaper alternative?