Live plants?

[ranchulas]

If I set up a 10gal aquarium with live plants, am I safe adding a layer of non fertilized top soil over the top of normal potting soil so the plants thrive? This is for jumpers so there will be no burrowing in the substrate or anything like that. Just want to make sure the spiders will be safe from chemicals. Looking for thoughts or experience with this.

 

[Widowman10]

If I set up a 10gal aquarium with live plants, am I safe adding a layer of non fertilized top soil over the top of normal potting soil so the plants thrive? This is for jumpers so there will be no burrowing in the substrate or anything like that. Just want to make sure the spiders will be safe from chemicals. Looking for thoughts or experience with this.

sounds fine to me as long as there's no chemicals!!

 

[Kryshah]

Depends on the kind of fertilizer. I think it would be safe to use non-fertalized potting soil period, and add some of the miracle grow sprinkle stuff. It's mostly beneficial nitrogen, which is harmless to inverts, as it is organic. Google some info on the nitrogen cycle in plants. I'm fortunate to have had a botony class, but the more you know about how plants work, the easier it will be to integrate them with your critters.

 

[KUJordan]

Considering how may spiders that aren't in captivity inhabit plats inside and outside that have been planted with fertilized potting soil, I would imagine that it would have no effect on the spider at all. The only issue is whether the insects that the Salticids eat would ingest any fertilizer.

 

[Fenrir]

Fertilizer isnt needed at all if you have a healthy population of small things like springtails, isopods, and other organisms. I have 3 vivariums w/ no fertilizer at all and they plants grow at amazing speeds. Lights will of course be needed though.