Rtifs

Ok. I set up my first NPT last weekend. 75g, unfertilized topsoil (seems to have lots of compost). It’s actually not completely setup yet… needs more plants, but I’m trying to get the ground cover plants (dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis) and pygmy chain sword (Echinodorus tenellus)) a head start over the amazon swords that I’ll be moving into it.
My question is what happens if the soil is deeper than 1”? Mine is probably 2” and maybe 3” in a couple spots. This soil is quite fluffy though, so it could probably compact down by an inch. I’ve read “Ecology of the Planted Aquarium,” but don’t remember what happens with deeper substrate. I’m assuming deeper substrate is in danger of becoming anaerobic and thus toxic. Are there any plants that can help aerate the soil other than lilies (too big for aquarium environment)?