Sorry Its Another Substrate Quetion.

[Ginge]

So i turned my brain on and done some maths.
My tank is 48"x15" and i want a 2-3" layer so.
48x15x2.5=1800/231=roughtly 8gallons of substrate or 30 litres-30kgs-66lbs of substrate.

I see people using these three all the time and wondered about them and how to use them ie. Do you mix them in with other layers etc and does this mean no other substrate ferts are needed?
TetraPlant Complete Substrate
Eco Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate
And ADA substrates

Also what would be the best most cost efficiant way for me to go???

 

[Dubby]

In general these are used by themselves. I have also come across people using these as a base and covering with a layer of sand/gravel.

You are correct - no other substrate ferts will be needed as these substrates provide most of the iron, etc. You will need to provide liquid ferts to add the necessary macro & micro ferts.

 

[Ginge]

Yes im going to dose EI.

 

[Ginge]

I think i may go for a layer of either of these and black graval ontop. Can somebody tell me the difference between these two.
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia (9 liters) - Normal
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonian (9 litres) - Powder

 

[Themuleous]

Think its the structure of the substrate i.e. powder or granular. Think the powder is massively more expensive too.

There is a hand tool on this site for working out how much ADA soil you need.

ADA soil is by far the best and not actually that much more expensive. It only gets expensive if you start thinking about adding power sand, and other things.

Sam

 

[Ginge]

I was thinking 1 bag of ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia (9 liters) - Normal for the bottom layer and then a layer of black sand on top i will have about 2.2.5" of subsrate.

 

[Themuleous]

If you can afford it use 100% ADA soil, its much better than having gravel as well. The soil doesnt need gravel at all.

 

[Ginge]

How thick a layer do i want then??? I see all these people use 3"+ but i thought in deep substrate you have to stir it up every once in a while to release build ups of toxins and i dont really want to be doing this all the time. Also what are the benifits of these and differences.
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...b9261e74adab6b6
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...b9261e74adab6b6
And i have seen people saying with ADA you need to replace it every year or so Rumour of Fact?

 

[Dubby]

You dont need to stir the soil much if you have plants (and suitable substrate). Fine sand definitely needs stirring. The roots will take care of that. ADA soils are anyway of a suitable granularity that it wont compact too much, thus causing toxic spots.