Tropica soil on top of sand

[john6]

I am in a position again to start looking after my tank again, I have about an inch of sand as a substrate, it hasn't been cleaned in about a year, I have some Tropica soil which was given to me which I would like to use as an inch of substrate isn't deep enough for certain plants I would like, can I just pour the soil on top of the sand or would it be better to empty the sand first and just go with the soil?

 

[Wookii]

The Tropica soil will leach a lot of ammonia, so don't put it in the tank with your Discus in it.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the soil, and just add more pre-rinsed sand if you want to increase the substrate depth.

 

[john6]

The Tropica soil will leach a lot of ammonia, so don't put it in the tank with your Discus in it.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the soil, and just add more pre-rinsed sand if you want to increase the substrate depth.

I didn't know it leaked ammonia, good job I asked the question, thanks.

 

[Wookii]

I didn't know it leaked ammonia, good job I asked the question, thanks.

Yep, many of the manufactured soils come pre-loaded with fertilizers - usually ammonia based for the nitrogen element - which leaks out fairly substantially in the first week or two of use.