Big mess with potting mix

[Kimlafeiet]

Big problem.......maybe.......not sure. So I am starting a new high planted tank, and I am using potting soil capped with Floramax. I bought organic choice potting mix by Miracle Grow. I put the soil in and capped 2 days ago, no fish or plans yet, just working on clearing up the water....., and tonight when I was doing a water change to help clear the water, I pulled the siphon a little too far up and lost the suction, causing the water to DUMP back into the tank, thus stirring up the cap and soil underneath, and I now have a huge mess on my hands. Super dirty water with tons of little wood chunks floating around, and a nice layer of potting dirt floating along the top. Ugh. I used a fish net to scoop as much of the dirt off the top as I could, but it is a big mess. I have not turned the filter back on for fear all this dirt and wood will just ruin it.

Am I doomed to start over at this point or can I salvage this? The front left quarter of the potting mix and floramax are totally mixed up, no more cap.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

That sucks. I've done that before. Can you drain the tank and scoop out the corner that's messed up then replace the soil and cap? You might need a barrier to stop the rest of the substrate slipping into the hole while you replace.

 

[Rivercats]

Check your other thread as I answered there.