>>> is it to be treated as a soil?

Yes, it is to be treated as soil. As far as I know it is soil, just soil without any NPK.

I have another problem that I'd like to ask you about actually, I've had this going for a year and I've only gotten one crop - Do you know why things are going so slowly? Is it mainly because my light is so far away?

You really can't imagine my appreciation for this help.
TheMidnighter Reviewed by TheMidnighter on . black leafs.. not lookin good I have a plant that's showing a very bad case of this, I don't know what it is. It's leafs are turning black, and it's drooping like hell. Leafs feel healthy aside from the look.. A few others are starting to show black on their leafs ... getting worried :( Rating: 5