Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Sep 27, 2010 5:53 pm For various reasons, I'm on a compressed time line to do the soil prep prior to having the turf arrive. I'm still trying to source some spongolite and will hopefully have an answer tomorrow - but assuming I can't get it in time, is there a common substitution that I can use (ie. something I can get from Bunnings) that will be better than nothing? The zeolite is on its way, but anything else I can add to improve the soil will be of benefit. Re: Replacement for spongolite? 2Sep 27, 2010 11:22 pm Certified organic soil. Sydney in sand or Sydney in clay? If you are in sand add bentonite clay and you can buy that as common clay cat litter from the super market if it says clay on the bag If you are in clay then add some sand. Get some "Seamungus" from the place you speak of if anything. Re: Replacement for spongolite? 3Sep 30, 2010 8:31 pm The only product I've managed to find after numerous phone calls and web searches is this: http://www.rapidspillcontrol.com.au/default.asp?Product=SPON4 But it sounds more like a powder than the crystals I was picturing. Is this suitable, or do I keep searching? Re: Replacement for spongolite? 4Sep 30, 2010 8:47 pm That is the goods no matter what form it is in, it has a great benefit to your soils future health Re: Replacement for spongolite? 5Sep 30, 2010 11:04 pm Is it necessary to use Spongolite and Zeolite..... Are they not just both absorbents? Re: Replacement for spongolite? 6Sep 30, 2010 11:14 pm No they aren't just those things. Like many things you use in the soils and garden they are used for a great many other uses Many are used both in the cosmetics industry, cattle industry and chemical industry and all for different purposes. We focus on them in the soils and how they help with nutrient leaching and the way minerals and water act in the soil. Re: Replacement for spongolite? 7Oct 01, 2010 7:39 am Quote: no matter what form it is in, it has a great benefit to your soils future health Does that also apply to zeolite? The same place has a granular version - http://www.rapidspillcontrol.com.au/default.asp?Product=SPON4 Re: Replacement for spongolite? 8Oct 01, 2010 8:32 am What does Songolite and Zeolite each do for the soil? Do they both perform simular roles or slightly different? Do you need to use both, or just one or the other? What sort of coverage are we looking at per meter sq. Re: Replacement for spongolite? 11Oct 02, 2010 12:21 pm When looking for Spongolite, I noticed our local spill kit supplier also supplies Zeolite at $12 per 10kg compared to $15 for 25kg at BAAG, so I will be going to BAAG. I saw another product which caught my eye which is another organic absorbent based of ground coconut husks. http://www.silverback.com.au/catalogue/ ... absorbent/ Fu, what are your thoughts about this product? Could be interesting. Re: Replacement for spongolite? 12Oct 02, 2010 5:57 pm You had to ask.... This is stuff is great in one one sense and the most down right evil thing in another google and see where this stuff comes from... Palm Oil Orangutans Environmental degradation Clearing rainforests Never use it as mulch. Great mixed into soils and potting mixes to help them hold lots more water than they otherwise would. Very absorbent and when used Horticulturally, it is way ahead of certain gels and crystals as it releases back all nutrients and water as well as assisting in adding an excellent organic content. It is Skywalker verses Darth Vader, A great thing with one hell of a darkside Controversial stuff Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Then again it is making good use of something that would exist regardless Re: Replacement for spongolite? 13Nov 17, 2010 6:49 am Hi everyone, I am also trying to find spongolite (about 25kg for 100m2 area) in Sydney, anyone find it yet? For people in Syndey, I bought the zeolite from http://www.globeaustralia.com.au/turf/contact_nsw.htm 20kg bags $13.00 (ex GST) (Thanks Tornado_ALIVE for the info) I am going to see if I can order Olsens GreenBIO from Bunning today. And then I will try to find molasses. Hopefully I will get all the ingredents ready for the soil prep in 2 weeks time (rainy weather in Syndey last/this week is not ideal for soil prep) Re: Replacement for spongolite? 14Nov 17, 2010 3:08 pm Someone else posted here about a replacement for spongolite that you can get at the big green shed (: Richgro aquatic http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=21938&p=598493&hilit=richgro+aquatic#p598493 Whereabouts in Sydney are you? I got my molasses from a place in the Lower Blue Mountains as the Elders Rural Supplies in Windsor kept telling me that they were "getting some in soon" each time I called so after about 4 calls I sourced it elsewhere. Never argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level & then beat you with experience - Dilbert View Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19733 Contract signed 14Sept Slab 30Sept Bricks laid 1Dec Lock up 26Feb Keys 10Jun Re: Replacement for spongolite? 15Nov 18, 2010 10:21 pm I'd be buying something that says it is spongolite folks Re: Replacement for spongolite? 16Nov 19, 2010 11:12 am Ok, so far I have rang Geelong Farm Supplies, Geelong Stockfeeds, Geelong Elders and Werribee South Farm Supplies and none of them sell/stock Zeolite. Looks like I may have to drive to the other side of the city for it Second Time 'Round Re: Replacement for spongolite? 17Nov 19, 2010 11:32 am http://www.zeolite.com.au/ contact them and ask them about where they'd suggest to get it. I know of quite a few places here in WA, but they don't do mail order Re: Replacement for spongolite? 18Nov 19, 2010 11:48 am Ok did a quick search and found some good info for those on the other side of the WA boarder http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earth-resourc ... al/zeolite http://www.victoriasessentials.com/page/904862 http://www.zibb.au.com/chemicals/suppli ... e/25770822 http://www.minsocvic.websyte.com.au/sit ... nsocvic/7/ http://www.mineral.org.au/socs/vicpg001.html viewtopic.php?f=19&t=26144&start=0&hilit=zeolite Re: Replacement for spongolite? 19Nov 19, 2010 7:29 pm MrsRose, thanks for the info. Surpisingly, I find the product "Aquatic Plant Mix" that seems to be spongolite in Bunning. I have cleared all of its stock (well, there are only 7 of them, 10L each), selling for $14.95 each. Originally, I have contacted garden direct, they are kind enough to ship it to Sydney, but the AusPost freight is about $38 (plus $5 packing and handling), making it $78 per 15KG. So your suggestion is a good one. Thanks all. Re: Replacement for spongolite? 20Nov 19, 2010 7:58 pm Get out of town! $78! It isn't "lite" even though the name suggests it! Just be careful with building stability during construction, that is when the structure may be weakened, refer to your engineering drawings for stability methodology. 1 7205 Can anyone recommend a good/affordable retaining wall and fence builder that I can get a quote from located in Sydney? 8 45658 Last year I had a gas leak at my house. 3 days later, I have about 1 sqm of my exposed aggregate paving broken up. I am not sure how to go about getting it repaired… 0 10377 |