Topsoil

[SIM-slayer]

I wanted some good aquarium dirt in my tank and couldn't find any in stores near were I live.

So I looked at a few DIY ideas on google and found 1 I liked. I soaked some topsoil for 2 days and dried it, mixed it with sand and put it in my setup with some nice looking gravel I bought from a gardening store( I washed the gravel as well).So then I carefully poured in the water and the water looked fine.

Now after a few days the water has a sharp yellow tinge.

WHAT SHOULD I DO??

 

[Nyghtfire]

No idea, but bump because i've been considering the same thing.

 

[splant]

It's probably tannins from bits of peat (plant/wood material) that were in the top soil. If that's all it is then it won't hurt the fish. Some people like a natural looking tea colored tank. Carbon will absorbe the tanins and clear the water.

 

[gomezladdams]

Waterchanges will eventually clear it

 

[goestonemoa]

agreed carbon will cleaar it up
plus a water change or 2 being carefull not to disturb the substrate during the filling portion

 

[SIM-slayer]

I did the first time, the whole tank was murky, I had too empty the whole tank to clear the water.

 

[pengu13]

top soil is fine in the tank but a little goes along way and if its covered with a inch or so of gravel then it shouldn't be disturbed to much. water yellowing is probably tannins it should go away with a few water changes just be careful not to disturb the soil on the refile but if you want it gone now try carbon or purigen

 

[Cybercyde]

Waterchanges will eventually clear it

Agreed.

Even if you don't cap the soil with something else - sand/gravel/stone, put a saucer (small plate / whatever fits the tank) on the substrate before you fill it. Pour the water slowly onto the plate, and you'll avoid stirring the bottom. (This will work to some degree even if fthe tank is ull assuming your aim is 100%). If it's full, use a floating filter sponge / stick your hand in the tank under your pour to break up the water flow. You can also pour water back into your hob filter slowly to lessen the disruption.

It's quite a bit like pouring a Black and Tan. Hard to describe / learn, but once you figure it out, you're set to enjoy well divided stouts/lagers. (In this case - murky substrate and clear water)

 

[Cybercyde]

Here's a shot from my 10 Gallon (1+ month in). Top soil covered with pea gravel, 75-76F. Everyone's happy. They all think they're in one big shoal.

I realize it's a tad ugly in layout - All the Anacharis you see came from 2 short stems a week ago. I'd literally just cut/reset all of them before taking the picture (All were dark green and crisp when I trimmed leaves to ready stems for light planting). The Javas are getting their tails handed to them by hair, but they keep sprouting regardless.

This was all with a home made sponge filter. I've now got a Penguin 150 opposite the sponge using an emptied filter cartridge (Cut the backside and tossed the carbon/ammonia absorbers) and felt. (Added for the otos/corys)

The 150 is far too much flow for the 10, but I tied a filter sponge to the output to stop splashing/noise along with a prefilter sponge cut to fit the intake. The otos/snails/corys seem to love it.

rofl. Just realized you can clearly read all text on the items in/out the tank when full size. Note the pinks/greens on the Petsmart Long Fin Danios. Apparently the Droid Incredible holds up for pic quality.