Hi

I'd like to start up a 20g long or a 37g using a mix of topsoil and used Eco-Complete with a white sandy area in the front. I have a huge piece of driftwood (20"x10") that forms a 'snakey M' shape. Inside the 'M' will be the white sand. Behind the 'M' and to the sides will be the Eco-Complete + topsoil mix topped with black gravel or black sand.

I have a new 20g long and a new 37g. I can use either. I'm planning on using pressurized CO2 and I have a 30" 2x65w Orbit fixture that I can run one lamp or two. One lamp is the Coralife Colormax/6700K and the other one is the Current 6700K/10,000K. I also have a new Eheim 2028 and a new Filstar xP2. Again, I can use either.

The topsoil that I purchased has me a little concerned about it's organic matter. I bought a 0.75 cubic feet bag of Scotts Premium Topsoil (Product No. 71130750). I couldn't find any info about it at Scotts' website: Scotts: Product Guide: Soils

The ingredients section on the bag says: "This product is regionally formulated with organic materials (derived from one or more of the following: peat, composted forest products, aged rice hulls or compost) and Sphagnum Peat Moss. {In California this product is formulated with composted forest products and Sphagnum Peat Moss.} I'm in NC, so I have the first product mix.

I have a few questions:
Will this topsoil work in a planted aquarium?
Will the compost cause a problem? I don't think that it contains manure.
Do I need to get a 'lesser' quality topsoil?
Do I need to bake it or soak it?
Should I just return it and get some ADA Amazonia?

Thanks for any info.
Left C

PS: While Googling I found a good article about substrates: Substrates for Aquarium Plants