DennerleScaper's Soil - 8L Bag

Expensive, but you get what you pay for here. You don't need to cap it like you would if you simply dirted the tank. Dennerle soils are closest to what you'd find in nature that I've found. Easier than mixing up your own, component by component. Does lower pH, so if you have fish that require alkaline, be aware that ALL soil will do that. Excellent product though.Oh and make sure you actually calculate how much you need and don't eyeball it. This is 488 cubic inches per bag. About 2 gallons worth. 8L is NOT a giant bag. So take the 5 minutes and get the amount of soil you need and buy how many you actually need to get 2" of substrate.

I installed this substrate last night and am very happy with it so far. The water had a very minor haze that was completely gone in the AM with only a HOB filter, and that was with me mucking around in it quite a bit. All water chemistry checked out good, negligible NH3.

I ordered this on Wednesday and it arrived by Friday. I was a little annoyed that I had to pay £5 delivery, but the tank was rescaped and replanted by Saturday, so I can't complain. I tore down my initial setup, held back a lot of established water, filter, etc and switched the inert gravel I've had for the last 7 years, over to this soil. After two days of having a soil based tank, the dwarf hairgrass has already started sending out runners and my Juncus repens is turning red on the tops too. The only downside to the huge change, is that my tank is now going through a nitrogen cycle, which I was expecting, since I read online that soil gives off Ammonia for the first couple of weeks after adding it to a tank. But something to consider if you want to change over to soil too and have fish in your tank. Another problem I'm facing is that every time I replant something, or mess around with the hardscape; which is a natural thing to do in a planted tank, the soil kicks up a lot of dust which then settles as a thin brown layer on all of my plants. I'm hoping after my tank finishes this cycle and I am able to do a few water changes, that this won't be a problem. But I'm sure a gravel cap will sort the problem or at least reduce the issue if it doesn't resolve itself. One last thing, this soil gravel is labelled as black, but it is actually a dusty brown, a little disappointing. But it does add a more natural vibe to the tank. Overall, I'm over the moon with the soil gravel from Dennerle and i wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

Ordered 3 bags of this. Emptied into a dry tank as said. The first two bags were fine the last one was quite dusty I should have known it would be a disaster but I carried on and filled the tank as carefully as possible and the tank just turned to sludge. Spent all day emptying etc but I just keep getting a layer of silt sitting on top. Would have been better buying top soil and pouring it in. Would have made less mess. All I can put this down to is either a bad bag or the bag has been thrown about that much since manufacturer it's spoilt it. 3 stars as the other two bags wernt dusty and even though I couldn't get it back out once it was poured on top of other emptied bags I should have known it wouldn't end well.

Now I know that I prefer the powder on the top, but it's a great product.

Good product

My swords have shot up in this!