Using pot dirt instead of aquatic substrates

[Elemistic]

What would be a good substrate to use? Would pot dirt be good for planted tank? How long does the dirt settle down upon flooding the tank?
Would anyone with experience with this please enlighten me? Thank you

[diazman]

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...902#post774902

Here you go I've tried these two brands and they work fine. Just don't use in excess, else you might risk making the soil Anaerobic. Generally as how you might experience mixing soil with water, it will turn the water into a "brown soup". Dirting a tank is best capped with aquarium gravel or inert substrate of your choice, as long it's not too coarse (e.g. using large pebbles etc)

A rule of thumb, planting is best done before filling up the tank with water. Upon completion of the planting process, place a piece of plastic sheet over the scape and slowly pour the water until the tank is full

[Elemistic]

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...902#post774902

Here you go I've tried these two brands and they work fine. Just don't use in excess, else you might risk making the soil Anaerobic. Generally as how you might experience mixing soil with water, it will turn the water into a "brown soup". Dirting a tank is best capped with aquarium gravel or inert substrate of your choice, as long it's not too coarse (e.g. using large pebbles etc)

A rule of thumb, planting is best done before filling up the tank with water. Upon completion of the planting process, place a piece of plastic sheet over the scape and slowly pour the water until the tank is full

So using another substrate to prevent the dirt from moving around ? Would aquarium soil do the job well?

[Forsalmon]

You can't go wrong with ADA Aquasoil.
Now available at all LFS near you~

[vinz]

Look for pond soil at the plant nurseries. These are usually concocted to make sure its safe for your fishes and other aquatic livestock and also low on Nitrogen.

I used J. Arthur Bowers Pond Compost (its a soil, although they call it compost), usually available at the Far East Nurseries and Goodwood Nurseries at Thomson Road.

If you use soil, put a 1 inch layer of gravel on top of it to prevent the soil form dirtying the water.

See this thread too: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...quatic-Compost

[diazman]

So using another substrate to prevent the dirt from moving around ? Would aquarium soil do the job well?

Usually capping the soil with gravel. Just like Vinz mentioned, by doing so, it prevents the soil from getting disturbed. Remember when dealing with soil, its a try and error method It took me quite a while until I could balance the tank's parameter (as i used a small tank). You can read up on Diana Walstad's method for inspiration Though, when in doubt, you could just fall back to the commercially available soil substrates. Easier and less messier to handle

[Urban Aquaria]

What would be a good substrate to use? Would pot dirt be good for planted tank? How long does the dirt settle down upon flooding the tank?
Would anyone with experience with this please enlighten me? Thank you

Just wondering, is there any particular reason why you are considering the use of pot/gardening dirt for your planted tank? Is it due to budget or are you looking more to experiment with it?