SegiDream
Songster
Dirt floats especially if it has wood or twigs like an organic dirt mix may have. A layer of gravel or sand on top is called a cap, it holds the dirt down. Air bubbles can burst through the gravel then you get dirt in the water column. And it can take a few days for it to eventually stop. It makes life easier to just soak it and mix it up good before you cap the dirt and add water. 1-1.5inches of dirt and your cap should be 1 inch of gravel or 1/2 inch of sand.What's wrong with just,,,,,, putting the dirt in? are the air bubbles bad? I'd be having the tank without fish for a month or so anyway to cycle it and make sure that the plants take root properly.