Pots in a planted tank

I want to try adding real soil to my planted tank but don't want to have to tear down the whole tank to add it. So I'm thinking of adding some soil to either clay pots or pond planter baskets. I have a few material baskets usually used to plant pond plants into. I've heard of mineralizing garden soil but I'm not patient enough. So I plan to repot some outdoor planters and use that soil in the pots. With a 1"-2" layer of garden soil topped with 1"-2" layer of Safe T Sorb. I figure I'll be able to hide 4" pots easily. Plus it will make relocating plants much easier. Just wondering if anyone else has any experience with this and any suggestions on what to add to the soil mixture.

Amp.. my fry rearing tank uses just small clay pots and PFS as a substrate for Vals... Should go to Safe-t... Makes cleanup so much easier...

I'm thinking of putting the potting soil into a mesh bag first and then cover that up with the STS (Safe T Sorb) substrate. After playing with the STS last night I got a feeling that the soil and nutrients would easily escape the STS layer if it gets disturbed. Not worried about a little soil escaping but don't want algae problems from escaped ferts and other nutrients.

I thought about using PFS but worried that it would create an anaerobic area build up nasty gases and not allow enough oxygen to reach the roots. Any problems with gas pockets Bill?

Amp.. I've never encountered a gassing problem with PFS... It's my BELIEF that due to the production process of PFS.. sieving, that issue is eliminated unlike playground sand. Remember, PFS is sieved to a consistent .45-.55 mm to allow passage of water between the grains...

Amp - I posted a while back about adding soil to established tanks and there were some suggestions in there ranging from frozen mud slabs to burying pockets of soil in panty hose.

Two of my tanks have a good amount of soil with PFS over it. Plants are doing great, crystal clear water, and no probs that I know of atm.

From last week.




I'll have some more pictures in a few days. Tank needs to be cleaned and let the dust settle for some clear pictures.

looking strong Amp.. .lighting? depth of tank?

75 gallon tank. 1"-2" depth of substrate upfront and sloped up to 3" in the back. Using 4x T5 HO bulbs. Will be replacing them all with D-D Giesemann Powerchrome 48". Lights on for 10 hours a day.