Compost

[psycho_maggot]

Hi, due to an urgent need to replace the Wood-Chip substrate my B.Smithi is on at the moment (Emergency Substrate Change), i went to my local B&Q Garden Centre and picked up some compost, it is described on the packaging as:

''Multipurpose Compost: An economic, peat based, all-round compost for general use indoors and outdoors''

and it also says:

''Produced from a blend of high-quality sphagnum peats and composted sustainable materials''

Would this be ok to use in my B.Smithi's tank, even if only for a month or two till i can find some more suitable substrate?

 

[PA7R1CK]

Generally peat works great. I would suggest giving it a try, a change from woodchips would be very good.

 

[Windchaser]

It should be fine as long as it doesn't contain any additives such as pesticides or fertilizers.

 

[psycho_maggot]

it doesnt say if it does or doesn't contain any fertilizers, it says ''essential plant nutrients including trace elements'' are added and ''The compost also contains a wetting agent designed to help absorption when watering''

 

[quinquestriatus]

Ask the store where you got it at.

 

[Runaway987]

My understanding is that they add chemicals to buffer the PH of the compost and more than likely have added [maybe not harmful] fertilisers natural or chemical...

 

[smellyocheese]

sounds alright to me.. and yeah, just make sure there are no fertilisers in it and it's organic.

 

[Crono]

it doesnt say if it does or doesn't contain any fertilizers, it says ''essential plant nutrients including trace elements'' are added and ''The compost also contains a wetting agent designed to help absorption when watering''

hate to be a buzzkill, but that "essential plant nutrients" are added bit sounds like fertilizer added.
If there is any type of analysis on the bag and the percentages of nitrogen or other major nutrients are low single digits, it might be useable. If the analysis is pushing 4-5% for anything it might be best to find something else.
I have no idea about the wetting agent though.
Dave Mc

 

[Natco]

I would not use it. Although it is probably fine, there is a good chance that something is in it that we don’t want our T. exposed to. The problem is not what was added to the compost. ''Produced from a blend of high-quality sphagnum peats and composted sustainable materials.'' We don’t know what “compost sustainable materials” are, but they are probably old plants of some type that have been thrown in to be disposed of. Many of these plants were more than likely at one time treated with some sort of pesticide, and although it should be gone, it may not be. Anything that was sprayed on those plants would possibly end up in the aquarium with your T. Just remember Diaznon can take out an entire colony of ants. Our poor Ts would not stand a chance if exposed to it. Advice is worth what you pay for it, and this is free. Hope I didn’t ruin your day.