elf_poop Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Going to start a low-tech 120 gal planted. I think the base is 6'x2' Where can you suggest cheap dirt? How much do you think it'll be to cover this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) 6'x2'x1" = 72" * 24" * 1" = 1728 cubic inches = 0.0283 cubic meters. For that small of an amount - just get large bags of the right potting soil from even perhaps Canadian tire - sometimes they have a few bags still in the back, or from any greenhouse center? Or a fraction of a load from Burnco calgary. Landscaping supply stores charge a reasonable amount for dirt, fill, etc. I think I paid a bit less than 200$ for 10 cubic yards (delivered). Edited December 5, 2015 by Iceturf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkSolid Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 I second Iceturf. For my research this summer I could not source dirt from Sigma-Aldrich, or any of my typical suppliers (jk) so I went to Canadian Tire. You can get 4 Cubic feet for ~20$ in a nice big bag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 Sigma-Aldrich? I feel like there is an inside joke here, its just not clicking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkSolid Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 Sorry I'm not very funny, I guess that's why I'm biological sciences. Normally I source all my research materials from chemical supply companies like Sigma-Aldrich, but since I needed dirt, I didn't go to them. For some strange reason they dont supply dirt. (That was another joke) ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elf_poop Posted December 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 I did not realize you can just use plain dirt from a hardware store - does it have enough nutrients or should I supplement by buying and mixing it in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 (edited) Using the mix outlined by Ckmullin, something like this 5-10% peat moss 5% invert gravel 5% vermiculite 5-10% worm poop remainder: dirt (dirt that doesn't have twigs, pesticides, etc in it) Measured by volume in rough amounts. ..... I followed this roughly along these lines. I used nice black dirt from our garden out back - cooked large chunks of dirt for a few hours, to dry it out, and break down the chunks into smaller sizes (when cooked at 450*F it seems to change texture, makes it easier to break apart). Sifted the results, ended up with a fine powder. Then mixed from there. Whatever you prefer, though I recommend cooking the end mixture for a while to sterilize it. This might seem silly, but if you do a dry start you don't want bugs and other things hatching. Definitely sterilize the dirt and the worm castings. FunkSolid - ahh! Gotcha. What kind of research do you do as a biological scientist? Edited December 6, 2015 by Iceturf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 (edited) Make sure that if you use potting soil that it is an organic potting soil... Edited December 7, 2015 by corrosionjerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KosinTrouble Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 You can pick up the Miracle Grow Organic (one with no added ferts) from Rona at Sunridge has 6 in stock according to the online. http://www.rona.ca/en/soil---organic-potting-soil?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elf_poop Posted December 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Baking dirt sounds like too much work! Though, hesitant on marketed "organic" dirt (afraid they'll add toxic stuff no appropriate for fish). I will probably try the dirt from stores and "test the waters" (haha) with goldfish, then gradually move to more delicate species. Do most of you suggest 1" dirt? I am planning to do sand on top for bottom dwellers (?). - Will eleocharis parvula (dwarf hairgrass) hold with sand on top and how much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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