this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2026
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Yeah fungus, but also the sludge sometimes forms a crust on the top inch or so of whatever you dump it on, especially if you do it repeatedly or your water is super sludgy (like my turtle filter produces some crazy sludge). It can also end up with salt buildup, not necessarily sodium salt, but just any sort of mineral residue that builds up and crystallizes. An occasional soak and rinse will clear all that stuff out, and leave you with reasonably clean coir once more.
As for the fungus, that’s super normal, but if you want to avoid it potentially being a problem, you can pick up some soil amendment that contains beneficial fungus (the sort that works with plant roots to increase nutrient and moisture absorption) to outcompete the nasty stuff you don’t want. You’ll want to look for a Mycorrhiza mix, which means symbiotic relationship between fungus and plant. There are tons of options available, I’ve used a powder variety to great effect.
I've looked into mychorizal innoculations to help new trees get established when we've planted them. Hadn't considered it for preventative maintenance to freely dump aquarium water, though, so thanks for the idea!