MoreCoffee
Fishaholic
I'm using ADA powersand and aquasoil in on of my tanks and have had no problems with it after about 2 - 3 weeks. I also added ADA Tourmaline, Super Clear and Bacter100, (well you gotta try em !) these were an added expense, but there is enough to do quite a few tanks, so it's not as bad as it may seem.
When the tank was first setup the water stats were all over the place for the first 2 weeks, the ammonia reading was off the scale (for my Tetra test kit), the PH was up then down. By the end of the second week things were stable and the PH was steady at about 6.8. I planted heavily from day 1 and do 50% water changes every week. During the first 3 weeks there were no fish or shrimp in the tank, only plants, so the fluctuations were not really a worry. Once the water had been stable for a few days I added Otto's and Amano shrimp. Another 2 weeks later and in went 6 Golden rasboras, 2 weeks after that and another 4 joined them. All doing well !
I add CO2 at just above 30ppm and nothing to buffer it, My local tap water has a high PH and KH.
I've found Aquasoil to be an excellent plant substrate, but I think it's just best to go with 'plants only' for the first few weeks until things settle down. The you'll see what your water stats are and can make any buffering adjustments if you need them.
Al
When the tank was first setup the water stats were all over the place for the first 2 weeks, the ammonia reading was off the scale (for my Tetra test kit), the PH was up then down. By the end of the second week things were stable and the PH was steady at about 6.8. I planted heavily from day 1 and do 50% water changes every week. During the first 3 weeks there were no fish or shrimp in the tank, only plants, so the fluctuations were not really a worry. Once the water had been stable for a few days I added Otto's and Amano shrimp. Another 2 weeks later and in went 6 Golden rasboras, 2 weeks after that and another 4 joined them. All doing well !
I add CO2 at just above 30ppm and nothing to buffer it, My local tap water has a high PH and KH.
I've found Aquasoil to be an excellent plant substrate, but I think it's just best to go with 'plants only' for the first few weeks until things settle down. The you'll see what your water stats are and can make any buffering adjustments if you need them.
Al
