Organic Potting Soil?

[Steve H.]

I am getting close to getting planted!

I just changed my substrate from all gravel to a first layer of Miracle-Gro Organic Potting Soil and a top layer of fine gravel both layers fortified with some Laterite.

I am experiencing an ammonia spike. I am guessing it is from the potting soil?
I have had no ammonia issues for quite some time before the substrate change.

If it is from the soil will it release quickly, and be handled with a few water changes?
Or,
Will ammonia release slowly over a long period of time???

Thanks for any advice here

 

[Katch]

It depends on how much soil you used, how good your filtration is and how big the system is.

I'd guess it will spike for a week or two; and yes you are right in your assumption, it is the organic matter in the soil breaking down.

For the future have a read up on mineralising the soil before you add it to the tank. Basically you was the soil and let it dry - you do this 3 or 4 times letting it dry out completely each time and sieving it through a mesh to take out stones and bits of bark and root etc.

This basically allows bacteria to break down any organic matter before you add it to the tank. You can also add potters clay, muriate of potash and dolomite at the same time to give your soil better nutrient qualities.

HTH

 

[Steve H.]

Thanks! I do remember reading that somewhere now.

Believe it or not the ammonia spike has past and I'm reading double zero's again. This morning and now when I got in.

I wish I had known that about the sieve though...if I move a rock or disturb the gravel in any way some bits of bark and such get released float around and get stuck in the filter inlet.

Oh I forgot to ask, do you think because I didn't remove all the wood bits my water might foul in the future?

 

[Katch]

yup - you may find a lot of nasties end up trapped in your substrate and get released when disturbed. Make sure you always do a large water change after uprooting or disturbing the soil layer.