Talk me out of Safe-T-Sorb

[JuJuFish]

All of my current tanks have PFS. And I’ve used BDBS in the past. I like the look (at least in photos) of Safe-T-Sorb so I’d like to give it a try. And it is so cheap, why not?

I know some people use it in mesh bags or with soil or a sand cap but I’d like to use it by itself. Some people seem to “charge” it while others don’t. Some rinse it. Some say to never rinse it. It breaks down to mud quickly. No, it doesn’t. And so on.

Who has used it? What did you like? Not like? Is it more trouble than it’s worth? And if you have pics, I’d love to see them.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I’ve used/still use it, but not as a cap. People will sift it to remove the finer pieces, which to me, is a waste of time. Rinsing is a good idea because it for sure is a dusty product, as it should be considering what it’s made for. It’s very light, so getting more delicate plant roots into it would prove difficult. I’ve seen people “charge” it as your indicating but I think that becomes a rabbit hole and another waste of time. I’d try it out on a smaller scale to see how you like working with it, like you said, it’s cheap.

 

[ElleDee]

I've used it as a component of a diy soil and I did like the look of it wet. I'd definitely try it as a substrate, probably with root tabs.

 

[Pepere]

I use it in most of my tanks in mesh bags under BDBS because I like to the look of BDBS so much and it is a joy to insert plants into…

Howver I do have 1 tank I am using just Safe T Sorb as substrate and it has an appeal visually in its own right…

I have not experienced it going to mud.

It will stip out carbonates and phosphates aggressively from the water column until saturated. From my understanding which I am not absolutely certain of, while we refer to Cation Exchange capacity, the particles will have bothcation and anion binding capacity and we refer to it as having cation binding because there is more cation than anion binding sites.. but, yes, the substrate will aggressively pull both cations abd anions out of the water until they are filled…

I rinse it in a sieve. It takes a while…. For the life of me I cant 8magine pouring it into a tank without rinsing it. I think it would take weeks of water changes before it stops clouding the water…

I cant see any reason to try talking you out of it.. if you dont like it you can always swap it out, and it will not have cost you much for the education you got.

 

[Unexpected]

Save the money and just go CO2?

I could only imagine what you could do. Sorry, I am a huge fan of yours.

 

[JuJuFish]

@Mr.Shenanagins @ElleDee @Pepere Thanks so much, guys. You have talked me into (instead of “out of”) trying it. Will grab a bag tomorrow and play with it for a couple of weeks. Will report back just in case someone else is interested.

And @Unexpected … haha. I could save my $8 and put it towards some CO2 tubing. It would be a start. But then I think about trimming fast growing stems and Joe’s long list of rare plants and bubble counters and regulators and solenoid valves and gassing my fish and the cost of refills is going up (!) and I just look at my Java fern and let that crazy notion GO.

 

[Unexpected]

@Mr.Shenanagins @ElleDee @Pepere Thanks so much, guys. You have talked me into (instead of “out of”) trying it. Will grab a bag tomorrow and play with it for a couple of weeks. Will report back just in case someone else is interested.

And @Unexpected … haha. I could save my $8 and put it towards some CO2 tubing. It would be a start. But then I think about trimming fast growing stems and Joe’s long list of rare plants and bubble counters and regulators and solenoid valves and gassing my fish and the cost of refills is going up (!) and I just look at my Java fern and let that crazy notion GO.

Just Yugang reactor and then break the stem cycle, crypts and swords are not fast enough for me .

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

To piggyback off @Unexpected efforts, CO2 is not as scary as it seems, my knowledge and use of it was all through forum help. The startup is intimidating but once you have what you need, the most work you need to do is swap out the cylinder. Go as big as you can fit tank wise and cost will not be as big a burden. I have a 20lb that I refill twice a year, $60 total for a year of CO2.

Co2 doesn’t also necessarily mean super fast growth either, especially if you are not hitting your plants with high light, but you can cross it off the list of limiting growth factors.

 

[Koan]

bubble counters and regulators and solenoid valves and gassing my fish

Bottom drawer regulator including solenoid - $80

20lb tank - $80

Yugang homemade, w/ built in fish safety - $30

Freedom to grow any damn thing..

 

[JuJuFish]

You guys need to stop! I’m over here trying to find the green and white bag of Safe T Sorb #7941 (unsuccessfully) and you are distracting me.

 

[techman81]

You guys need to stop! I’m over here trying to find the green and white bag of Safe T Sorb #7941 (unsuccessfully) and you are distracting me.

I keep saying this: they're a bunch of enablers.

 

[Koan]

Amazon.com : E P Minerals 7941 Safe-T-Sorb, 40 lb : Artists Clays : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : E P Minerals 7941 Safe-T-Sorb, 40 lb : Artists Clays : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

 

[JuJuFish]

Thanks @Koan . Finally, someone really trying to be helpful. I’m trying to grab a bag locally and I can find a 33 lb bag with a different number but it appears to be the same thing.

 

[Pepere]

$40 bucks atAmazon? Wow! Highway robbery!

$8.49 at Tractor Supply if you have one nearby…

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ep-minerals-safety-absorbent-800989

 

[ElleDee]

Thanks @Koan . Finally, someone really trying to be helpful. I’m trying to grab a bag locally and I can find a 33 lb bag with a different number but it appears to be the same thing.
View attachment 15093

That's the one I have. I think the different product numbers are just the different size bags.

 

[JuJuFish]

That's the one I have. I think the different product numbers are just the different size bags.

Perfect. Thanks, @ElleDee. I will pick it up today.

 

[Pepere]

The best I can determine, the only difference between the green bag and the black label bag is the weight of the product in the bag. Ie, I do believe the product in the bags is the same product. EP Minerals also sells Oil Absorber in a 50 pound bag with a red label…

Interestingly, Tractor supply sells both the black label bag holding 33 pounds of product, and the Green label bag holding 40 pounds both for $8.49. I always buy the green label bag to get 7 more pounds for the same cost.

 

[JuJuFish]

Thanks for the research @Pepere. Our local Tractor Supply only has the 33 lb bag in stock.

 

[Pepere]

Our local Tractor Supply only has the 33 lb bag in stock.

Well, $8.49 for 33 pounds at Tractor Supply is still a bargain compared to $40.00 for 40 pounds from Amazon.com…

 

[SingAlongWithTsing]

I've used it in the past and my main complaint was the weight. Safe T Sorb is a lil light so if you're using thinner stem plants you might need more of it to hold stuff done.