Because of this thread, I left soil out to "air" in shallow cardboard box lids in my basement for nearly a month before using it to re-do my 30 gal tank. Of course, it got completely dry, too, but I moistened it before putting it into the tank.
I really think letting a soil out-gas, age or mature is a VERY valuable key! I'm convinced! My most recent setup has been the least problematic of any soil underlayer setup that I've done before.
I also have a friend who recently set up her first soil underlayer tank, and I told her to let the soil air out. Her tank is doing really well too.
And thanks Betty for linking this thread into the NPT procedures sticky! This technique certainly gets my vote!
-Jane |