aquarium/pool sand in ottawa?

[Stussi613]

This might be a stupid question, idk, but could you just cap a soil substrate layer with say about 2" or so of sand?  To keep the dirt from floating up and provide ample nutrients for root plants?

They will eventually mix.

In my previous setup, I used a divider to keep black fluorite at the back and pool filter sand at the front.  You couldn't see the fluorite unless you looked from the top...I had a massive sword, valisinera, java fern and dwarf hair grass growing in the back and mid ground.

[zenins]

This might be a stupid question, idk, but could you just cap a soil substrate layer with say about 2" or so of sand?  To keep the dirt from floating up and provide ample nutrients for root plants?

This is a good question.
Generally, sand will wiggle and percolate down beneath any other substrate over time.
The best topping for a layer of soil is gravel.
One inch of soil and two inches of gravel.
The soil should be very wet before putting into the aquarium.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/substrates/84125-careful-potting-soil.html
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-238402.html

The drystart method is the best.
http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/9615-DSM-Dry-Start-Method
Good photos here:
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum/showthread.php/42183-DSM-Dry-start-method-for-starting-a-new-planted-tank

Good Luck !