Shai Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I need some laterite but I haven't been able to actually find any. Where in (preferably NW) Calgary can I get some? Crowfoot Petland and Pisces don't carry it. Is it something I can buy from a garden center, like Sunnyside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 You can use a thin layer of peat under your gravel/sand. Peat has a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), which is the primary purpose of Laterite. True, Laterite has some iron in it, but if you're going to be fertilizing, the peat will soon have a store of iron and other nutrients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 We have not been able to find the laterite either, but I do know seachem makes some. We decided to go with the fluorite instead since we couldn't find the laterite. We got our fluorite from the petland by sunridge mall. But I would check out either river front aquariums, maybe give them a call first so you don't waste your gas. Or of course I would try pisces. They usually always have what we are looking for, they have such a wide variety of items for fish needs. Here is the info for river front. And also for pisces. Pisces Pet Emporium 10, 5220 - 4 Street NE Calgary, Alberta T2K 5X4 CANADA Tel: (403) 274-3314 Fax: (403) 275-6296 Email: contact@piscespets.com Store Store Hours Monday to Friday 9:00am to 9:00pm Saturdays 9:00am to 6:00pm Sundays 10:00am to 5:30pm Riverfront Aquariums 417 Riverfront Ave. Calgary Alberta T2C 0C2 phone: (403) 265-8157 fax: (403) 264-7229 Hours of Operation Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday & Hoildays: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shai Posted March 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 (edited) I require the laterite to make laterite balls specifically for the iron, so neither peat nor fluorite will do unless they can be substituted for this purpose and be made in to balls. Tearing the tank down to put in a whole layer underneath is not an option. Riverfront is really inconvenient for me to get to...any other sources/ideas? PS: Firestorm, I shop at Pisces regularly, but thanks! Edited March 28, 2008 by Shai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 YOu can use Redart clay to make fertilizer balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomdweller_fan Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Mail Order Pet Supplies (www.mops.ca) has laterite at great prices and their shipping rates are very reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nighthawk Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 I am unsure about Calgary, but Garden stores here in the North carry it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 I require the laterite to make laterite balls specifically for the iron, so neither peat nor fluorite will do unless they can be substituted for this purpose and be made in to balls. Tearing the tank down to put in a whole layer underneath is not an option. Riverfront is really inconvenient for me to get to...any other sources/ideas?PS: Firestorm, I shop at Pisces regularly, but thanks! Ah I see, didn't know you wanted it for that reason. The best place to look then is online, mops is a great site to shop at, I was in pisces today and didn't see any laterite. When big al's opens up on 32nd ave NE, they might carry the stuff, but they won't be opening their new store until late spring. Have you tried using liquid fertilizers containing iron? And I don't think you will be able to make balls out of the fluorite. Your other bet is to try sunnyside acres, which I believe is somewhere off memorial in the west, or try golden acres which is right behind pisces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shai Posted March 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 (edited) Have you tried using liquid fertilizers containing iron? And I don't think you will be able to make balls out of the fluorite. Your other bet is to try sunnyside acres, which I believe is somewhere off memorial in the west, or try golden acres which is right behind pisces. Yes, but the plants that need it mainly absorb ferts through the roots and since too much iron can encourage algae I wanted to get the iron down at the roots of those specific plants where it would be most useful. Hmm. If I can't find any, I suppose I could make "balls" out of fluorite or peat by mixing it with water then freezing this "mix" in an ice cube tray. The cubes can then be pushed into my substrate at intervals, where they'll unfreeze and settle in. Just so I'm prepared, which is more recommended, fluorite or peat? Edited March 30, 2008 by Shai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Have you checked craft stores for natural red clay? If they don't have it, you can get some from Ceramics Canada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Not sure exactly which is best for helping fertilize, but we found that when we added the peat, it became more like dirt and wasn't as good when we siphoned, as more of it came up and made more of a mess in the tank. The only thing about the fluorite is that it can create alot of cloudiness due to the dust, so you would want to rinse it well first. sounds like a good idea with freezing it, how come I didn't think of that before lol. I know you can also buy fertilizer sticks that you push in by the roots of the plants, and some of them can fertilize them for up to a year. never thought of the red clay, that might also work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 When you use peat or Laterite as the lowest 1/4" you don't want to disturb the gravel; otherwise, it makes a mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Flourite works the same as peat - it has an high CEC and basically absorbs ferts and holds them for the plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shai Posted March 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 My substrate is sand. I really don't have time or opportunity to do anything too involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 I found this today on mops, and I found last time I ordered something through them their shipping costs were great!! If you still need the laterite that is http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/sk...f930+1207511458 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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