Soil?

[Vitaliy]

What would happen if I would go to my local park, remove the grass, collect soil, and use it as substrate in my fish tank after rinsing it out?

 

[DeLgAdO]

death.

 

[davo]

what about using silt/sediments from a river too (not hijacking) or would this only be good for natives

 

[yourmylunch]

just plain dirt would be bad it will cloud the water its full of contams and organic matter

sand from a river would be great but with any sand it coud clog or mess up your power filters

i collected sand for a ten gallon i have but it only has a sponge filter

i would just spend a few bucks and get some gravel or sand from a good source

 

[cichlid savage]

You will kill all your fish!!

 

[Timpon]

You would not necessarily kill your fish, just not see them.

The soil would make your water murky as hell, even after repeated rinsings.

Why are you contemplating soil?

 

[BOTR]

It can and has been done. It requires a few layers of other substrate above it to help keep water clear. I had a planted tank with soil/peat/sand/then rock on the top layer, and the plants loved it.

 

[guppy]

I have used dirt, mud, and even silt, it just takes a long time to settle, dirt especially has a lot of floating debris.
Getting it from the park can get you arrested.

 

[Timpon]

It'll limit what fish you can keep though, no diggers etc