Just in time for the uptick in "Bio-Active" posts
- Thread starter Extensionofgreen
- Start date
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hey I hate to keep bothering you, but I'm having a difficult time finding that sunshine mix. I checked the locator and unless I did something wrong it says the nearest place is new York. So I looked for places to order and it's all around 35-45 for the 3.0-3.8 cubic feet + 60ish dollars shipping. Does that seem high or is that normal? How much does one of those bricks
/bags fill?
Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
The cost per bale is going rate. It's about 40lbs of dry mix. Shipping is expensive, because of the weight. I used 15 bales in my enclosure!!!!
You have to multiply your width by your length by how deep you want your soil layer, to calculate what you need. Call around to local nurseries or hydroponic stores and see if they can order a bale. $60 is a pain for shipping, but there's very few things that don't pose a hazard and are pH stable in the long run. Where are you from again? Maybe I can locate some closer.
You have to multiply your width by your length by how deep you want your soil layer, to calculate what you need. Call around to local nurseries or hydroponic stores and see if they can order a bale. $60 is a pain for shipping, but there's very few things that don't pose a hazard and are pH stable in the long run. Where are you from again? Maybe I can locate some closer.
Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
Try calling them and seeing if they can help you locate a closer supplier, unless you're willing to drive. I can't imagine there aren't any hydroponic shops in such a large city. I'm in the absolute middle of nowhere and can find it in at least 3 places, within an hour of me. Google the product name and "for sale in Pittsburgh, PA" and see what you find. If the linked company can't help you, call the customer service number on the website that lists the distributors and see if they can help. You don't find specialty products in box stores because the masses don't generally look for anything other than Miracle Grow and they don't know any better that the MG is not very good for house plants, as they look at what's available and has a familiar brand name.
http://www.pahydroponics.com/
http://www.pahydroponics.com/
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
@Extensionofgreen I found a brick of the advanced 4 for 70$ online, says it expands up to 6 feet. How does that price sound? Also you mentioned in another post about adding 1 cup osmocote indoor/outdoor "plus" and 1/2 cup organic hollytone per 10 quarts of sunshine mix I believe. Do you think I should go ahead and add those in as well when setting up my substrate, or add those down the road?
Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
The Holly Tone is a good way to activate the substrate with good microbes. You can use Plant Tone, Veggie Tone, or Holly Tone. I'd do that now. You can save the osmoscote and only apply that to the holes, when you plant the plants in them. In that case simply add a handful or 2 handfuls in the case of a larger, 4' ficus tree or something of similar size, when you plant. I seeded my entire planting bed, from bottom to top, because I knew I'd be planting shallow rooted plants and everything from groundcovers to 5' tall ficus.
That price, shipped isn't bad.
That price, shipped isn't bad.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
So I know @Extensionofgreen is away, but if anyone else can chime in it'd be appreciated. I am wondering about two things mentioned in this podcast.
1) he says that it is not ideal to have active drainage (holes in the bottom that freely drain water out), so in that case I assume the best method would be having the "well or some way to manually drain out the water when it passes the drainage layer. Problem for me(and probably most of us with larger chams), my substrate bin is not see-through. So I can't tell when the water beneath is getting too high. Would it be good in that case to just drain the water 1x a week of So? Or is there a better way?
2) it is mentioned that we want the plant roots to reach the drainage layer, but since we seperate the drainage layer and soil that becomes difficult. He said use something with wider holes than landscaping mesh, any suggestions for something like this to use?
1) he says that it is not ideal to have active drainage (holes in the bottom that freely drain water out), so in that case I assume the best method would be having the "well or some way to manually drain out the water when it passes the drainage layer. Problem for me(and probably most of us with larger chams), my substrate bin is not see-through. So I can't tell when the water beneath is getting too high. Would it be good in that case to just drain the water 1x a week of So? Or is there a better way?
2) it is mentioned that we want the plant roots to reach the drainage layer, but since we seperate the drainage layer and soil that becomes difficult. He said use something with wider holes than landscaping mesh, any suggestions for something like this to use?
Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
What he's described in the podcast is sensible, but my vivarium is larger and my soil layer much deeper than the ones they discuss in the podcast. They don't advocate the use of pelleted fertilizer, but I do. Not using fertilizer is part of why they don't recommend external drainage. I keep parsons and there's no way I could have my set up without pumping out the water. You need to decide what your limitations are based on:
Will you be using slow release fertilizer?
How much will you be misting?
How deep is your soil layer?
What plants are you growing?
I advise you to have a means to drain excess water away, whether you use it frequently or not, it is a fail safe. I drain my viv twice a week. If not, after a few weeks, the water reaches and saturates the soil layer and leaks out of a hole that OF COURSE would be in the rubber liner, after ingestion thousands of dollars and many hours putting the thing together, meanwhile, someone on YouTube is useing garbage bags and water proof duct tape, with no leaks for 6 months!!! Sometimes, I'd like to punch life in the gut, and again in the face, it's doubled over!
By the way, ECUADOR IS INCREDIBLE!
Will you be using slow release fertilizer?
How much will you be misting?
How deep is your soil layer?
What plants are you growing?
I advise you to have a means to drain excess water away, whether you use it frequently or not, it is a fail safe. I drain my viv twice a week. If not, after a few weeks, the water reaches and saturates the soil layer and leaks out of a hole that OF COURSE would be in the rubber liner, after ingestion thousands of dollars and many hours putting the thing together, meanwhile, someone on YouTube is useing garbage bags and water proof duct tape, with no leaks for 6 months!!! Sometimes, I'd like to punch life in the gut, and again in the face, it's doubled over!
By the way, ECUADOR IS INCREDIBLE!
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
@Extensionofgreen Hey thanks for the response, can't believe you got back to me from Ecuador!
I'll just be using a handful of osmocote in the plant holes and hollytone like you suggested and soil is around a foot deep for all of my plants.
I definitely planned on having drainage. I was just confused that he said it shouldn't be "active drainage", so I shouldn't just have holes drilled at the bottom for the water to freely flow out. That's what I've had, maybe I should change it so I manually pump it out or keep it that way?
And oh man sorry about the leak, hope you can get that worked out without too much issue. Glad you're enjoying Ecuador, can only imagine how cool that must be. I appreciate you taking the time out for that response. Have a safe trip.
I'll just be using a handful of osmocote in the plant holes and hollytone like you suggested and soil is around a foot deep for all of my plants.
I definitely planned on having drainage. I was just confused that he said it shouldn't be "active drainage", so I shouldn't just have holes drilled at the bottom for the water to freely flow out. That's what I've had, maybe I should change it so I manually pump it out or keep it that way?
And oh man sorry about the leak, hope you can get that worked out without too much issue. Glad you're enjoying Ecuador, can only imagine how cool that must be. I appreciate you taking the time out for that response. Have a safe trip.
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