Redoing My 75 Gallon

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Tropicalfishking

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 24, 2009
1,312
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66
Seattle WA
Alright. So I have had my 75 gallon tank set up for almost a year and half. The plants are going ok but I think they could grow way better.
So I have been looking into doing a Walsted Style planted tank with dirt caped in sand substrate.

So, right now I have the dirt soaking in a bin in my room. I am getting the sand, and a new light fixture that will be T5HO from www.fishneedit.com and I am just wanting some help with the steps in setting this thing back up.

I already have the fish that are in the tank and will be moving them out of the tank while things get going.

My questions are:
Did I mess myself up from the beginning by soaking the dirt in a bin with water?

How long should I soak the dirt? It's been soaking for almost a week and is starting to smell boggish.

After capping the soil with sand how long should I wait until I add fish? (I have test kits).

What else besides the soil should I add as the first layer? Root tabs? I know that I will be adding clay for an iron supplement.

Thanks for the help!!!
 
Mineralizing is not an option because it is winter and 40 degrees outside and raining. I have seen people just using dirt. They put it in the tank and cap it with sand and then plant the crap out of it and do some large water changes for the first couple of weeks.

I don't know if i'm screwed because I am soaking the dirt first.
I just wants someone elses opinion for reassurance.
 
3 bags of miracle-gro organic potting soil. Same stuff that everyone uses.
 
Anothing question in turms of lighting. Would the fishneedit light fixture 4ft. 2 T5HO bulbs be too much light? I would hang it 7 inches above the top of the tank which would put me right in the middle of medium light. Is that too much?
 
I have the tank completely done. Clay, dirt, sand and plants in. Tank is filled and now we just wait for the water parameters to level out and I will add the fish. Videos later tomorrow.
 
 
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