#1 Price - this soil is excellent. You can probably be able to earn back a lot of your cost by selling the plants it will grow.
#2 Ammonia - you must let the ammonia spike go away. I relocated my fish for a few weeks into a rubbermaid bin. I only had 2 ottos die, and 2 khuli loaches commit suicide. People have said you can put your fish in IF you do water changes, but I don't believe it. I planted HEAVY and changed water and still my ammonia was off the charts. I waited to put my fish it.
#3 If I were you I would use tap water. The plants will love the nitrates. Your fish won't be in there until your plants get established anyway. By then your plants and your nutrifying bacteria will be established by then as well. No problems. This will also give your plants a nice boost!
#4 catfish - I have all of those you mentions except for the raphaels. It's all fine. They love it. It's not hard on them in any way.
Good luck with your tank. I for one recommend Aqua Soil highly!
#2 Ammonia - you must let the ammonia spike go away. I relocated my fish for a few weeks into a rubbermaid bin. I only had 2 ottos die, and 2 khuli loaches commit suicide. People have said you can put your fish in IF you do water changes, but I don't believe it. I planted HEAVY and changed water and still my ammonia was off the charts. I waited to put my fish it.
#3 If I were you I would use tap water. The plants will love the nitrates. Your fish won't be in there until your plants get established anyway. By then your plants and your nutrifying bacteria will be established by then as well. No problems. This will also give your plants a nice boost!
#4 catfish - I have all of those you mentions except for the raphaels. It's all fine. They love it. It's not hard on them in any way.
Good luck with your tank. I for one recommend Aqua Soil highly!