Do I need to poke the aquasoil to release the trapped air bubbles?Updated a month ago

No, trapped air will dissolve on its own and air bubbles in Aquasoil are not inherently harmful to the aquarium. There is absolutely no need to poke the Aquasoil to release air bubbles. Most air pockets will disappear on their own over time.

The large pore spacing between the Aquasoil grains prevents the substrate from becoming overly anaerobic. This prevents the formation of harmful pockets of hydrogen sulphide gas. Occasionally there may be some gas formation in more compact areas of the Aquasoil substrate, but this is usually CO2 produced by microbial processes. The low sulphide content of Aquasoil and the large pore spacing means that the production of harmful hydrogen sulphide is of little concern even in very deep Aquasoil substrates. 

Where does this myth come from?

In some cases where raw garden soil is used in aquariums, compaction combined with the high sulphur content of certain soils can lead to the formation of hydrogen sulphide. In loose, aerobic soils, hydrogen sulphide is oxidised back to hydrogen sulphate as the hydrogen sulphide gas rises through the aerobic layers. However, in compacted soils it can accumulate as pockets of harmful hydrogen sulphide gas. 

In well-cultivated areas, plants channel oxygen down to their root zones, preventing even compacted areas from becoming excessively anaerobic. For tanks that use soils that are easily compacted, a well planted tank will maintain the health of the deeper soil layers.