Split from algae shrimp with Angels

[George Farmer]

so c`mon whats the best substrate for a planted tank?

ADA Aqua Soil. ADA Power Sand and the other additives are also recommended by many but aren't essential.

Tom Barr swears by Aqua Soil + EI. He has lots of experience (much more than me!) Others swear by Aqua Soil and the rest of the ADA range. Both methods work very well.

One thing to consider with Aqua Soil is its impact on water chemistry especially in the first few weeks of installation. Ammonia spikes, pH reduction etc. are well-known. May be best to re-home any fish whilst the water "settles".

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

so c`mon whats the best substrate for a planted tank?

ADA Aqua Soil. ADA Power Sand and the other additives are also recommended by many but aren't essential.

Tom Barr swears by Aqua Soil + EI. He has lots of experience (much more than me!) Others swear by Aqua Soil and the rest of the ADA range. Both methods work very well.

One thing to consider with Aqua Soil is its impact on water chemistry especially in the first few weeks of installation. Ammonia spikes, pH reduction etc. are well-known. May be best to re-home any fish whilst the water "settles".

mmmm... not a good idea to go with Aqua soil then if I want to upgrade my standard gravel with a proper substrate? Or would my mature filter etc deal with the ammonia spikes?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

exactly wahat i was going to ask...

 

[George Farmer]

Good question - I'll get back to you on that. (Or I know a man that will).

 

[plantbrain]

There are a few ways around this.

1.Water changes, generally most folks with nice scapes etc, do 2x a week 50% or large water changes for the first few weeks.

Then weekly 50-70%.
That will deal with NH4.

2.The other method: add carbon and zeolite to the filter media. This can(should) be done in conjunction with water changes.


3.Add tonnes of plants from day one, these will directly remove the NH4.

4. Add mulm from another tank, friend's tank, LFS etc, any of that "dirt" from an established tank's gravel bed, or filter sponge squeezings etc. A mature filter is also preferred.

Note about fishless cycling: don't do it on a planted tank ever!!!

There is a simple trick around this method that avoids the tank entirely.
Use a bucket to cycle the filter. Add the NH4 to a small bucket and run the filter through there, not the entire tank!!! You do not even need to measure the NH4/NO2 etc.
Just wait 4 weeks and add NH4 every few days.
Or add zeolite and carbon and don't wait at all

The water changes, carbon clear up the water which gets a bit yellow over time for the first few weeks also.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks Tom.

 

[BigIan]

cheers tom.

now all i need is a small loan to get al my gear

 

[BigIan]

Also the ada aqua soil how far does it go would a 9 litre bag do a 6 square foot floor plan?

 

[George Farmer]

Also the ada aqua soil how far does it go would a 9 litre bag do a 6 square foot floor plan?

Aqua Soil is a 'complete' substrate i.e. not mixed with gravel so you'll need a lot more than 9 l. for a 180cm / 72" tank. I'd guess more like six to eight bags. Richard from Aqua Essentials should have a better idea, he's the only UK stockist of ADA gear.

 

[BigIan]

its a 4` x 16"x 2` tank the floor plan is acctualy less than 6 square foot, i was just allowing extra as i want to terrase the tank ionto two layers

 

[BigIan]

so is ADA aqua soil acctually wothe the extra cah rather than some of the other complese substrates?

I`ve just been given 100 pounds to spend on my tank and i`m thinking i`m going to need 4 bags at 25 quid a pice to do the substrate

 

[Themuleous]

so is ADA aqua soil acctually wothe the extra cah rather than some of the other complese substrates?

Thats the $64k question! I've not used it personally, but from what I've heard, its very very good, and generally not hugely more expensive that other complete substrate like eco-complete. That said, would you notice the difference? I doubt I would.

Sam

 

[Miss Wiggle]

our thoughts were, it's something your only gonna get once, it's not vastly more expensive, so as he's got a little cash why not splash out and do it right rather than scrimping and saving and maybe regretting it later??

 

[George Farmer]

From what I have read, understand and believe from many that use ADA Aqua Soil - the difference is very noticeable between this and other complete substrates. Whether or not the difference is worth the £££ is a personal choice that is obviously dictated via budget etc.

Personally if I had the "disposable" income then I wouldn't hesitate to use it. Bear in mind that one cannot rely on a good substrate alone to grow plants, if you go the "whole hog" then you may as well get pressurized CO2, high lighting, EI etc. But then I am bias toward high-tech!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

From what I have read, understand and believe from many that use ADA Aqua Soil - the difference is very noticeable between this and other complete substrates. Whether or not the difference is worth the £££ is a personal choice that is obviously dictated via budget etc.

Personally if I had the "disposable" income then I wouldn't hesitate to use it. Bear in mind that one cannot rely on a good substrate alone to grow plants, if you go the "whole hog" then you may as well get pressurized CO2, high lighting, EI etc. But then I am bias toward high-tech!

ha ha yeah he's deifnately going high tech, i've heard nothing but EI and co2 for weeks now!

contemplating setting my 8g up as a nano planetd using his leftovers.... and doing a better job of it than him!