Soil Planted Tank - Maintenance and Setup Tips 

I have different experience with my dirt tank that I have been keeping for about 20ish years, as long as you plant enough of the right kind of plant and don't mass over stock. I don't have issues like ammonia, death or cloudy water in any of the many tanks I keep, even new setups. I never vaccum, use filters except for a sponge on tanks bigger than 55g more for water movement. I always add Rams, pond and MTS to complete the little ecosystem along with shrimp since all have a job, but since it is a closed system I do make water changes at least 3-4 times a year at best. I didn't need to change out dirt on my 75g for 10yrs, my biggest issue I have is massive plant growth and reproduction with livestock, very little algae since plants grow so well even with photo period of 10hr winter and 12h summer. Amazing how well plants will grow in dirt...who knew....

i can't get enough of The Water Box has helped me more thAn any other Aquarium guide on RU-vid

I love this channel. Even though I’m new to the hobby, other channels or podcasts can be too simplistic. I know I’m always going to get the info I need from The Water Box!

just now found your channel! I'm glad I did...I'm new to live plant/fish aquariums and found your videos worth the time to watch! Love your knowledge, down-to-earth and honest tips, easy to understand explanation, and your humor!

Never thought garden soil. So many wonderful tips. And if I ever consider a soiled tank. . . . this is my first video "must watch".

After years of Youtubing and asking millions of questions on different channels, you sir by far are the quickest to respond to questions. You are a valuable asset to the beginner. You help us stay motivated and help us save tons of money. Thank you very much.

You are entertaining, informative and hilarious! I love your videos!!! Just subscribed.

Great video! Thank you for breaking it down for us newbies to dirt tanks 🙂

Just the video I was looking for. Thanks so much for this upload.

I've been occasionally falling into your videos and so today I've finally subscribed! (sorry for the delay) love your videos, keep it going!!

Love your videos!! I have a idea of how to dye to my knowledge, but it’s always good to hear an experienced tank user explain stuff like this. I enjoy your journey and can’t wait to tackle this project. I’m using fluval substrate, but it’s just not cutting it. I wanna match the actual biology that will benefit my ecosystem. :) excited

this is one of my fave videos. chock full of helpful info and the dirty gesture jokes had me cackling at my desk

Brilliant advice , thank you.

Wow. Incredibly knowledgeable, thank you sir.

I really like you. You get to the point and explain things clearly. Not like some other people that really irritate the living daylights out of me. Thanks for good content.

I’m glad I caught that comment about not needing carbon in my planted tank. The new tank came with a bag of carbon to put into the foam filter, but I’ll just save it until I need it, if ever. Also I’ll send you a picture of the soil I’m going to try. It’s leftover from my brother’s tank

That was a great fun and informative video bro, thanks!

This guy's quick and very informative! I might have to subscribe.

I have been using your videos for advice. I'm new to planted tanks and so far... I'm happy that I haven't killed all my plants within a week like LAST TIME. You're pretty funny as well. "Anaerobic pockets... You don't want that - it's BAD" XD hilarious.

I just can't bring myself to dirting a tank. Maybe one day but if I ever do I will refer back to this video. Thanks for sharing as always brother and keep doing what you do if it works for you.

you sir are entertainingly informative 😎

Wow! Great this is what i am looking for. Setting up 18" raised water box 60 gallon outside. Changed it after watching your video's and just put a 30% shade sun block up. I probably will fail but like the 2 guppies living in the box facing the Northwest i am not giving up. Lots of plants added.

a tip i learned when doing soil with a sand cap is fill the tank just enough to get the soil soaked then place your plants and then add the cap around them and as you fill your tank with water you can spread the cap a little easier and have less mess from the soil getting on top of the cap but doing this is if you know where and how you want your plants ahead of time

You should have more subs bro. Great informative channel !!!

Awesome video! I love soil planted tanks :)

keep on doing videos they are very great and full of info

Great video!! Now I'm going to watch your other one! My next tank is going to be dirted.. and my research led me here!🌱🐟🌿🙏✌️

Chung, I started up a new 5 gallon nano Betta (Betah, Beata ?!?, I grew up hearing them called Bait-a fish, so I'm going with that) tank, heavily planted, over stocked, etc. Just getting back into the hobby again after more than 15 years out if it, WOW lots of new stuff, Led lights, Soil substrate, Live plants... ok, the plants may have been in the mix all along, but I was doing salt water then. In any case as I ramble on, I love your videos, very informative for an OLD SALT, returning to the hobby and playing catch up. FYI, I did the Fluval CO2 kit, the 45g setup on the tank after I had it up for a few weeks and watched more videos about it. I found it very temperamental, the regulator was IMPOSSIBLE to adjust by hand once you had pierced the seal on the CO2 cartridge and there was pressure on the line, I had to use a crescent wrench to adjust it, then once adjusted I just left it going. I did watch your video series on CO2 once I had it setup and realized the waste of having it going all the time, currently it's out of the mix, and I'm just using the Fluval Flourish Excel, seem like a good source of CO2 with less hassle. I'm gonna try and catch a live chat, and I'm not sure where to ask this question, or even if you go back and cruise these old videos for new posts... here goes. If I have a 5 gallon tank (Marineland Portrait), Eco-complete soil, lots of plants, a chunk of spider wood and a few river rocks, how many inches of fish would you dare put in that tank? I've got more in depth details about it, but let me know with a reply, where the best place to post that might be for a discussion with you or other readers on your channel. Thanks, keep the videos coming, they & YOU, are Great!!!!

I WAS LITERALLY SETTING UP MY SOIL TANK WHEN WATCHING THIS OH MY GOD

Looks awesome .. can’t wait to see it again in a few months 😁👍

Just set up small 5 gallon waisted set up. It's certainly been an eye opener. Am on week two. No fish just some snails. Tried plants before but not successful. So fingers crossed. Long term want to put my Betta in. It's a learning curve. Thanks for all your tips. They have been helpful

Great Video. Always love your animated style. I have only ever used dirt in pots or shallow trays. I find clients are not very patient. lol. This way I can put an established plant in right away

thank you! Great info.

Answered all my questions awesome

I regularly vacuum my top substrate cap of my dirted tank uaing a siphon. I not only vacuum the gravel, I also use the siphon when I want to open up sections of my soil due to various reasons. The trick is flow control. Control is by bending the hose at about waist level and constantly asjusting flow rate and suction strength by squeezing or letting go the bend a little. And another tip. 7.15 of the video showing the AS being pulled out of the tank. I stick a pair of thin scissors into the base of the plant and snip off between the bottom of the plant and its roots. . I use this on any stem plant that has been in the tank for sometime and is growing well. Pulling the plant out without the roots causes very minimum soil disturbance.

Awesome info!

Thanks

Great videos :)

knowledge is power in the aquarium world

To anyone having trouble finding "old-school" kittylitter you can also find similar substances at a car parts store, being sold as an "oil absorbent." NAPA carries an oil absorbent made of diatomaceous earth. It doesn't break down and has a huge surface area (good for beneficial bacteria) because of micropores (made up of fossilized diatoms) Advance Auto parts carries a similar product but it is made out of calcined clay, it does break down after a while but fills a similar purpose. (these are also great bonsai soil substitutes for those who can't afford Akadama)

I'm a fan. ✌️

MORE TO LEARN ABOUT PLANTED TANKS: ☑️ Beginners Planted Tank Guide: goo.gl/oCujCK ☑️ Aquarium Lighting Guide: bit.ly/2INYuMA ☑️ Aquarium Co2 Guide: bit.ly/2rSteVY ☑️ The Dry Start Method: goo.gl/XC8Rnz ☑️ Using Soil: goo.gl/PxkvK4

Very nice and helpful for me.Thank,s for your,s.❤️👌✌️💯

Could you explain in your videos what the terminology means like "dosing your water column and capping your soil" thank you

This guy is funny! Subscribed!

Great video, thank you. If the mid cap is of bigger diameter compared to the top cap, won't that ultimately push the top cap to mix with the mid cap (as you pointed out in the video)? Shouldn't the top cap be of the highest diameter of all 3 substrates to avoid mixing?

Hi Great video what about if you want to build up certain areas with soil like some aquascaping projects I see they can have up to 4 inches on the sides so it slopes down will having this much soil in one area cause problems I know they do it with ADA.

I hope you will see this even its 2 yrs late I'm planning to use potting mix it mainly consist of coco peat and burn rice husk is it ok/enough or I'm I better off buying normal tank gravel with root fertiliser

If I want burrowing snails in a new planted tank. Do I need to put in a cap or mid cap? Will they just mix all the cap and soil together.

Thanks for the video. Did my tank today. My first aquascape. So its a learning curve. So I'll be watching you. Thanks for all the advice Hopefully today is day number 1 of 2 years.

Hi to everyone, I'm on the process of doing a dirt tank I prepare the ingredients, but I went on vacation for a week and totally forgot about that dirt that I left on the back yard, so I got back last night, this morning I checked the bucket and it was to dry on the top with mold and smell like I just open a sewer🤢 so I took the top and remix everything. I added little more of water, soil, biochart and pea moss. the smell kind like went away but still kind of strong, my big question is if I can use this mix? Any suggestions?

Hey I know this video is old but I am doing a soil substrate with a gravel cap I’m getting organic potting mix from a local home improvement store. I’m wondering where to get the clay I need a cheaper version. I’m setting up a 150 gallon ?

You probably won’t see this, but your videos are amazing! I am planning on using soil and capping with Fluval Stratum, mainly because I like how stratum looks. Will this cause even more ammonia spikes?

I’m going to ask a silly question: Am I double-dipping if I add liquid nitrifying bacteria to my newly set up dirted tank? I’m thinking about speeding up the Nitrogen Cycle or using it to help lower an ammonia spike. Thank you for your help and time.

You're good 👍😎

So, I did an emersed dry start using soil+cap method, and about after 6 weeks when I added water, two fat worms crawled out of the cap. Probably should've mineralized the soil? Nice vid thanks.

I hope you are doing fine. Looking forward to hearing what you have been doing. My 40 breeder anoxic tank is doing great 1 year with 1 inch soil in middle total substrate depth including a 1 inch plenum is 4 inches . My new tank 40 breeder is 2" dirted and 2 " caped Turface 4-5 mm. Tank is 3 months old. Cory's and shrimp breeding 8 plecos and 4 bettas. I was told by Father fish too much soil and that i should cap it with sand. I do have 2 mm Carab Sea Super Naturals sand . Should i leave it alone or go ahead and cap the other 2 " of Carab sea. My aquarium is 20 inches tall by the way. Running CO2 and the water parameters are good. I think that the Turface has been striping the liquid ferts i put in every 4-5 days. Plant load only medium but they are growing out and replanting 3 types of stem plants, and S. Ripens , Pogustemi Helferi, AR mini . Been manually removing the algae that comes a little and run with Kessil 360 Tuna Sun at 50% intensity for 8 hours. I used Turface instead of kitty litter and laterite.

I really like your channel!! Do you have any experience in discus fish? I been in the hobby for about 2 years now and I have planted tanks. I’m wondering how do discus and planted tank mixes together. Thank you and keep up up with the great work!

Great video. Awesome learning... Thanks.. Just a question. Can soil tank handle all type of plants that professional aquasoils do? I mean carpet plants.. stemplants etc. Thank you in advance..

Do you need to dose the water column while using soil? And would it be good to mix ecocomplete with soil since ecocomplete has a high CEC value? Or does soil also have a high CEC value? I want to make sure if I dose the water column that the soil can absorb and release it.

Playground sand does work, but only in deep aquariums. I'm assuming that the pressure keeps it in place, because in smaller aquariums it just muddies the water and blocks the filter

9 months ago I changed my tank to a soil planted tank. I used organic soil topped with a layer of gravel and then caribsea sand. The plants have thrived, I have happy fish and perfect water.... But starting a few weeks ago soil is emerging on the top of the sand. I vacuum it up and then it reappears. I'm wondering what the cause could be and if I have to redo the whole thing. There some ramshorn snails-- could their movement be the cause? Thank you.

Great vid as always man! Keep it up. Need help with something, I have a 60 Gallon planted tank (soil and capped with sand) and everything is doing well except for dusty water. If there's a way to contact you or something that would be great!

Hey water box.I have a dirted tank with cabomba. But the cabomba is not getting any roots after i replant them.

My dirted tank lasted about 5 years with a 2 inch dirt layer an 1 inch cap and dosing liquid ferts. Plant load was about medium heavy with Dwarf sag full carpet, huge amazon sword, some other stem plants. My tank bust a seam soo it died. But I'm sure it would last a couple more years.

Hey, I was wondering, since aqua soil reduces pH in the water. Does it apply to organic soil as well?

could you just use a fine net mesh separator between the soil and gravel so the roots can still grow through the fine mesh to get the nutrients from soil but save all the mess when moving plants or doing tank work And does soil loose its nutrients over time like some of the planting substrates do my friend some of those dirt tanks plant growth is amazing

Love your videos , Why nobody mention the case of sulfuric acid with the dirt tank substrate ? I had 2" dirt with 4" cap and ended up with sulfuric acid which killed all my plants

how long soil lasts also depends on other factors of your system. Where your filtration takes place. What you do with trimmed plants. your animal stocking. Your type of cap. In a really strong tank, your depleted soil will be refertilised naturally, as droppings and decaying plant matter falls back through your cap into the dirt layer. This happens differently depending on the grit size of your cap, and what organics are decomposing.

I respect your opinion but just gonna share. My no filter, ferts, heater and co2 planted soil tank has been running for 1 year already and is still looking good, not too overgrown but not to neat either. My livestocks are 10 neon tetras, red cherry shrimp (they've been breeding so much, i lost count) and 1 pink ramshorn snail and several small pond snails and naturally occuring organisms like seed shrimp, infusoria etc. Its a 20g tank

2yrs old, just cheapest top soil from HD, no clay, no chemicals of any kind , no Co2, no water changes, I just add water from the tap as it goes evaporating, Ive got plants, ebay seeds carpeted and 9 goldfish just normal stuff. No problems yet , I DO clean the filter weekly with out fail. I DON'T over feed the fish they eat betta pellets. and I trim the 3 bigger plants as needed to make room for new shoots. If it crashes since im at your 2 yr mark ill let ya know.

“Is your garden growing plants? Then yes you can” Golden. Lol. Hey I’ve been looking for that clay, no luck, can you get it off amazon?

Just a 150 gallon im looking to soil and make in to a tetra community tank

Can I use the black soil or does it have to be organic potting mix?

We used organic compost; and sifted it.

Hi i want to ask if you can plant carpet seed on soil substrate top with beach/pool sand. Or is it just for dry method? TIA

Good video brother now my question is along the lines of the carbon I've seen at my lfs chemi pure green not sure if I want to spend the money because I don't know that much about it have you come across it it says it's for planted tanks stay fishy

instead of root tabs i use old fashion clay and organic soil mix (1 part clay with 5 part soil (measured in space not weight)). seems working. Just make sure that you very well mix them and give enough time to dry. othervise they start to disvolve before you will put them near plant roots.

So if I dont put the carbon in my filter do I just let it run with nothing in it? Ive been using the carbon filter the whole time with this new soil. I feel like I had an ammonia spike or something I just lost one of my loaches🥺 I had a feeling this soil needed a cap also its really messy and hard to clean. So im gonna get some gravel to put on the top. Thank you so much for this video. Did a water change I pray the other fish are okay🥺 Could it possibly be a c02overload ive been using a c02 booster every like 2 days it said its safe to use everyday following the measurments but the thing is what if the soil has carbon monoxide coming off of it): I wish the aquarium store workers told me this. I feel like they are stressed theyre rubbing on the soil but I see no sign of ick. One of my other loaches looks very pale. I did a half water change and put some stress coat in. Let me know any tips please!

When can you add a fish after doing a soil planted tank with a substrate top off?

Do you have to use Mexican clay? I’ve found some cheaper stuff on Amazon. Will it work the same?

Potting Mix mixed with Clay, capped with Ista aquasoil...is that fine or is it double dipped? Hehe..aquasoil is just half an inch capped

Im to the point where i do mostly dirted tanks now. another thing you can do is plan your scape out before you set the tank up and only put dirt where the root feeders are going to go. i rarely ever do that but it is an option.

Thanks for making these videos. They're really helpful! I'm setting up a new 30 gal soil tank. The pool filter sand and sand blasting sand in my area (Toronto, Canada) are around .5 mm in grain size so I can't use that as a cap on the soil. What's a good alternative cap in your opinion?

About Magnesium Deficiency can I use epsom salt to solve it?

So do you need to dose anything like seachem flourish for trace elements? I know the soil supply the nutrients but what about the water column?

I switched to a soil substrate and I all ready have done 5 50% water changes, but my water keeps getting "dirty"... should I keep doing water changes until it finally clears up or should I try a different type of soil?

need to set up my 108 gallon tank again. was stupid when started it with stuff I bought from the stores. I am tired from adding fertilizer for the plants, water changing, cleaning and so on. Full time job! I have two smaller size aquariums that I have set up on "garden soil". No problem at all! It is like you "shot and forgot" it goes by itself. The best result I got from the mix of river bank (Fraser River) soil with garden soil (Home Depot). I sifted the soil from the rocks and big pieces of wood (size 1/8 probably) cover the bottom of my fish tank with 1.5 inch thickness, small rocks on the top and last was sand from Home Depot (quartz sand, not the cheap one). I did a mistake one time when put in fish tank cooper part (it was part of my filter that I made myself) and because of that cooper I have killed all my snails and shrimps. BTW snails and shrimp are perfect helpers for cleaning aquarium. I have never cleaned the glass of my aquarium because my snails done it very well. REGULAR SNAILS FROM NEAREST LAKE)))). And what I have spotted that population of the snails was changing from bigger to smaller depending on amount of algae on the glass of the fish tank. Good luck to every one who is starting aquarium with natural product that is given for free to us by our Mother Nature)))

Is it possible to use broken clay pot pieces instead of the pottery clay?

You especially have to liquid dose initially because the plants haven’t established a valid connection to the substrate via roots yet.

Holy cow! I just root tabs my newly setup dirt tank. Thanks for the tips though. Question: I capped my soil with extra small lava rocks, will my plants grow in lava rocks? Is it true that lava rocks contain iron which is beneficial for plants growth?

What organic mix do you reccomend?

Ok here is my question ive seen people use ada products and they seem to use multiple types of substraights so my question is what if u did a half inch of dirt a half inch of seachem flourite then cap off with like a inch of fluval stratum would that be something that has potential

HI! I currently have a carbon filter in my planted tank having no idea it was taking out the nutrients the plants need to grow! Should I take the little carbon sack and leave the filter running to allow the water to be kept in motion? What kind of filter can I use? Please help! :o thanks!

@Waterbox - Another great basics video man. Any plans to make videos on mid-level or advanced topics?

I'm looking to do this set up but is it Neo shrimp safe

Would capping soil with Flourite be considered "double dipping"?

Happy Labor Day! What about National Geographic white sand for a cap?

Can I go without adding a clay substance??? And if so can I add air dry clay I have?

Can you put special kitty litter from Walmart on the bottom of tank and then miracle grow organic and then sand or gravel for a cap( 1/16) kitty litter on bottom