Hi ceg4048

Thanks for chiming in.

I'm not really sure if I want to try this or not. I have ~ 30 lbs of used E-C and I was wanting to use it up. I saw Vaughn's tank using delta silt and SMS and it got me thinking about trying something like it. Then I read Tom's Report Newsletter - "Analysis of Sediments" and it made me more curious.

Today I went around to various stores to see what topsoil is available. I saw a broken open bag of the Scotts Premium Topsoil like I purchased. It was full of organic matter, wood chips, sticks, etc., but it was a nice black color. I think that there could be a decaying problem and other problems with this stuff. The ingredients section on the bag says: "This product is regionally formulated with organic materials (derived from one or more of the following: peat, composted forest products, aged rice hulls or compost) and Sphagnum Peat Moss.

Today, I found another topsoil product. A bag was broken open and it was more of a sandy clay substrate. I think that it would probably be better in the long run. It was Scotts Earthgro Topsoil. The ingredients section says: This product is regionally formulated from organic and inorganic materials derived from one or more of the following: peat, compost, ash, sand or native topsoil.

I've done some research and Tom recommends mixing soil with Seachem's Onyx Sand. If I go that route, I may as well try some ADA Amazonia. There wouldn't be much difference in the price then.

It's a head scratcher for sure, ceg4048 and I'm not sure what I want to do. In may ways, using the Amazonia for this tank makes a lot of sense like you suggested.

The tank will have pressurized CO2. I already have an AP.com's "The Best" regulator and an AM Reactor 1000. If I use the 20g long for this, the 2x65w Orbit will be temporary and I may get a 30" Nova 2x24w HO T5 freshwater fixture for it. That'll be 2.4 wpg then. The Orbit fixture was originally purchased for the 37g and that would be 3.5 wpg.

As far as ferts are concerned, I can do EI or most any other dosing regimen. I'm doing this fert regimen for three tanks now and it's working really well for me.

I'm really not interested in doing an experiment or trying to 'reinvent the wheel' or anything like that. I don't know what to add to the soil to make it work. I just want a simple planted aquarium to house some dwarf cichlids.

Left C