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What should I test for with topsoil substrate?

Sianita

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2017
Messages
38
Location
Ayrshire, Scotland
Can anyone tell me what tests I should run on the water when trying to use new topsoil that nobody else has used in aquarium?
It states that it won't effect pH so am I rigt in thinking its just ammonia I need to test for or other things as well?
Any advice will be much appreciated thanks
 
Likely much more useful to obtain comprehensive soil analysis from the manufacturer - or look at cost of submitting your own sample
 
With top soil, it's a little risk with heavy metals etc but the cost I testing for that would be too high. Might as well buy aqua soil.

I would cycle the top soil for a few weeks and use it.
 
Thanks very much for replying.

Do you think it would be ok to try and cycle the topsoil with some hardy live plants for a couple months?
I am going to get a master test kit before I think of buying fish but I wasn't sure if I needed that to see if the topsoil would be safe enough in an aquarium.
 
Thanks alto I actually just found it earlier today and had a good read through.
Im thinking it would just be safer and easier to buy aquarium soil/subtrate so for my wee practice tank an just going to use aquarium gravel I have already :)
 
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