Recycle GEX?

I am planning to decompose my old 1.5ft tank with 3 inches thick GEX soil. The soil has been used for slightly more than a year. Can I wash it and than reuse it or should I just buy a new soil for safety reason. Besides, I am not going to have heavily planted tank because I will be reusing my nana, moss and fissiden from the old tank. The GEX soil is just for my shrimp to stroll around and picking food.

Typically, the soil is helpful for plants as it provides some nutrients and is also able to lower pH that are required for some shrimps.
So, if your (type of) plants don't really need the nutrients and the shrimps are not the sensitive (water parameter) type, then it should be fine. Actually I have reused old soil before, but recycling the tank is a must before adding lifestock.

Originally Posted by monster_88

Typically, the soil is helpful for plants as it provides some nutrients and is also able to lower pH that are required for some shrimps.
So, if your (type of) plants don't really need the nutrients and the shrimps are not the sensitive (water parameter) type, then it should be fine. Actually I have reused old soil before, but recycling the tank is a must before adding lifestock.

OK thanks, I will wash it thoroughly and keep only half for the tank flooring.

You will also need to see what perimeters your shrimp needs. If lets say they require slightly acidic water, then the soil might have already lost its buffering properties after use. The typical expiry of soil occurs between 1 - 2 years depending on the usage. You might want to get new soil just in case your soil loses it buffering properties causing a PH swing. My 2 cents worth.

If you wants to reuse for planted by all means, but for shrimps will not be good.

By the way, you do not have to wash. Just sun dry them can liao.

[Koji™]

Originally Posted by eviltrain

If you wants to reuse for planted by all means, but for shrimps will not be good.

By the way, you do not have to wash. Just sun dry them can liao.

I got some every more hiong. they oven bake the soil super dry!!!

Wah! Bro Koji! Thats extreme! Haha.. Too bad no oven.. If not i try too.. =X But usually i just recycle the soil by putting into my potted plants as additional supplement so nothing goes to waste.

Originally Posted by binniez

Wah! Bro Koji! Thats extreme! Haha.. Too bad no oven.. If not i try too.. =X But usually i just recycle the soil by putting into my potted plants as additional supplement so nothing goes to waste.

i also do that, my parents super happy when their potted plants bloom after i pour my used soil on their plants.

oven bake a bit extreme la. but then, these few mths where to find sun~~~

Originally Posted by binniez

Wah! Bro Koji! Thats extreme! Haha.. Too bad no oven.. If not i try too.. =X But usually i just recycle the soil by putting into my potted plants as additional supplement so nothing goes to waste.

Don't over bake bcum chao ta hor hahaha I try with a toaster Woohoo black smoke

[Koji™]

Oven baked soil is oil free.