In preparation for a soil-substrate aquarium (my first attempt actually), I’m aiming to use the next few warm months (it being summer here in the southern hemisphere) to propagate the plants I’ll need, by growing them in tubs outdoors in the sun. The tubs would contain a soil base covered with a few inches of water.
It occurred to me that, in these tubs, I might use the actual soil I’ll eventually use in the aquarium, and I could go through the same steps of regularly replacing the water with clean water.
I wonder if the above process, of soaking the soil for a few months beforehand, will be any advantage in eventually transferring that same soil into the aquarium?
I was thinking of using some soil from my garden beds, and sieving it beforehand to get rid of large organic particulate. I know there’s been no chemicals or fertilisers added to that soil for 2 decades ever since I've had the house. The soil I would use previously had some lilies growing in it, which I’ve dug up. I wonder if the type of plant that was previously using the soil could influence its chemical suitability for the aquarium? Or would I be better off just buying some cheap organic potting mix that doesn’t have much additives?
It occurred to me that, in these tubs, I might use the actual soil I’ll eventually use in the aquarium, and I could go through the same steps of regularly replacing the water with clean water.
I wonder if the above process, of soaking the soil for a few months beforehand, will be any advantage in eventually transferring that same soil into the aquarium?
I was thinking of using some soil from my garden beds, and sieving it beforehand to get rid of large organic particulate. I know there’s been no chemicals or fertilisers added to that soil for 2 decades ever since I've had the house. The soil I would use previously had some lilies growing in it, which I’ve dug up. I wonder if the type of plant that was previously using the soil could influence its chemical suitability for the aquarium? Or would I be better off just buying some cheap organic potting mix that doesn’t have much additives?