Soil very dirty

**Mudskipper** · 18th Apr 2010, 08:51

A while back, I bought a bag of black soil pellet thingy -- think it's Gex or Gax or something like that, looks like same packaging. When I first bought it, I washed the heck out of them but couldn't get it to stop blackening the water. Now, I tore down that tank (left my last job and wanted to bring my tank home) and the soil still makes water black. It looks like the particles from the soil and not dirt cause I have washed and washed and washed to the point that JB is going to refuse to sell us any more water. Is this normal or should I just dump the stuff and go with normal gravel? I'm sorry if this is an "Aquarium Keeping for Dummies" questions, but I'm just concerned. Thanks for any answers.

**Shadow** · 18th Apr 2010, 10:26

you should not wash the soil in the first place. It is normal for soil.

Normally you dont was it, just be genttle when you fill in the water. Put plastic on top of expose soil and pour water on it. That should reduce the cloudiness

**Mudskipper** · 18th Apr 2010, 10:48

Now that makes sense! Ok, that's a huge "Duh" moment I just experienced here. Thank you for your very kind answer to my "Aquarium Keeping for Dummies" questions. I know better now. *sigh*

**|squee|** · 18th Apr 2010, 15:18

It's best for you to dump the soil you have now and replace with a newly bought bag imho.

**Mudskipper** · 18th Apr 2010, 16:47

Thanks for the advice. Am going to dump it today. Think I will opt for plain gravel, looks much better.

Cheers.

**Tamama** · 18th Apr 2010, 18:26

Soil is important. Use the good one. Ada soil. Just put them in and put water in gently. Cloudy water may last for days to weeks depending on ur tank. It takes time for the water to get clear. Now u may want to start reading the filtration system.

**Tamama** · 18th Apr 2010, 18:27

Soil is the component to control the ph lvl for ur fishes or shrimps.

**jiajuen900** · 18th Apr 2010, 22:45

Aqua soil is also a good medium for plants to grow in. It is normal for it to be cloudy for a few hours or days but it will go away eventually.

**Tamama** · 19th Apr 2010, 23:41

depending on different soil, some may take days to clear the cloudy water and some may take months...

Gex brand is the faster one in clearing cloudy water..