topsoil as substrate?

Okay.. so I read some treads where people had successfully used topsoil as a substrate for planted tanks and the have done really good. So I went to homedepot today and picked up some Poting soil not even thinking about the difference. I got home, put the soil into my 10g and pored water onto a plate as not to disturb the soil.... Well, after I took the plate out and stepped back to look at what had happened, I noticed all the soil floating on top of the water. I could see light through the water under the floating island of soil.. I had to leave it to go eat at a friends house so maybe some of it will be sunk when i get back, but im thinking im going to have to wash the tank and get some new "TOPSOIL".

Has anyone here used topsoil or even poting soil?

The only problem I have read about using topsoil as a substrate is occasional ammonia spikes due to ferts in the soil and organic material breaking down. I imagine this might not cause as much as a problem for certain inverts, but Im planning on putting some female bettas in here.

So im no substrate expert, but i think somthings wrong here... :flamed:

BettaFishMommy said:

levitating soil!!! lol.

like Ashley said, you need to cap the soil with some other substrate - sand or gravel. i personally would go with sand.

Click to expand...

Well... it is "top soil" right??

but yea i will deff get some sand tomorow. was hoping I could just use the soil for a more natural look, but guess thats not gonna happen!