Anyone using nisso volcanic soil ?

**loupgarou** · 16th Dec 2002, 12:03

checking, I'm pondering getting it for a 4ft tank, any problems with water change? seachem fluorite might be out of stock and I probably can't wait unless I do bare tank..grr

**Allen_1971** · 16th Dec 2002, 14:05

I think alfa low was using some... see this post

**Alfa Low** · 17th Dec 2002, 13:31

Hi bro! no problem with wc when using NVS. FYI, The price is S$45 for 8kg at Aqua Fauna, Farmart now.

IMO, i don't encourage you to use NVS in your 4 ft unless you give up on serving Frozen Blood Worm to your fish as gravel siphoning for NVS is impossible.

**bclee** · 17th Dec 2002, 13:44

Why gravel siphoning is impossible? Grain too big? too small?

What is the grain size for NVS?

BC

**Allen_1971** · 17th Dec 2002, 13:51

I saw the stuff at farmmart, and the grain is probably 3-4mm in diameter? But maybe I remember wrong. Also not sure if it disintegrates over time? I also heard that it will also make your water pretty acidic...

**loupgarou** · 17th Dec 2002, 18:04

nisso is soil...

although what it feels like is soft soil blended into silicone balls...yes, if you squeeze it, it becomes a powder.

anyway, I'm using fluorite after all.

getting a mix of fluorite and onyx from aquamart later.

meanwhile, turns out petmart also carrys seachem fluorite, but more expensive..$55.

gonna use nisso in 2 ft, fluorite in 4ft.

**Allen_1971** · 17th Dec 2002, 18:22

Chris you have pm

**kubrich** · 17th Dec 2002, 19:43

does the nisso volca sand really lower the pH of your water,how effective is it? cos i was thinking of chaging the gravel to NVS if it really is effective in lowering pH in my apisto tanks.roughly how much does the pH drop by say if my tap water pH is 7.0. another problem would be that i feed my apistos nothing but frozen blood worms and frozen brine shrimp, so how come it is impossible to siphon the gravel?

cheers!
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**loupgarou** · 17th Dec 2002, 22:27

nisso is SOIL, ie: if you stir it enough or mush it, you will get mud.

egad, I found out that the one I bought is made by Taikho (not nisso) lol

its &quot;active soil for hydro-terrarium&quot;

reason I buy it cos the guy said it was ph neutral.

Nisso soil comes in 2 flavors. gold bag = acid, silver = alkaline (as in 6.9 7.1 kind of thing)

**vinz** · 17th Dec 2002, 23:51

What's the approximate price and weight(or volume) of a pack Nisso soil?

**loupgarou** · 18th Dec 2002, 00:42

$45 - $48 for 8kg.

**vinz** · 18th Dec 2002, 01:12

That's about 8.5 bags for a 6 footer with average of 3 inches of base fert. $450.00 [:0]

**loupgarou** · 18th Dec 2002, 02:07

vinz. no base fert is needed. nisso cannot mix.

fluorite on the other hand can be mixed with 50% gravel.

I've placed my six bags in already. water has only 1 cm visibility (mh penetration.) letting my internal filter filter it now. (already washed the gravel but its dusty like anything...hah)

I probably need to get 1 x 25 kg of sand and test the depth.
I have 42kg of fluorite in my tank, so that means I can still add in 42kg of sand. but I hope its not needed.

**vinz** · 18th Dec 2002, 02:20

Opps, I meant 8.5 bags needed for average 3 inches of Nisso.

**kubrich** · 18th Dec 2002, 14:16

how much will the pH be lowered by using ADA aquasoil the south american river type as opposed to nisso volca sand? roughly how much will pH be lowered by these 2 products?

**Alfa Low** · 18th Dec 2002, 14:24

The NVS is impossible to siphon simply because the granular is so soft and light that you will suck out most granulars during the process.

NVS is not very effective in achieving low pH immediately if compared to ADA amazonia soil based on the finding of some HK NVS users. However, after i used some NVS in my tank, the pH value is always maintain around 6.8 to 7.0 and the water is really crystal clear.(Despite of it may attribute to other reasons).

In fact, i try to keep 2 Apisto(feeding with FBW) in a one ft tank with NVS only before, i realized the idea is feasible as long as you feed only limited amount of FBW daily plus frequent WC.
(That's the reason i don't recommend Chris to use NVS in his 4ft as there are Discus which are heavily-fed with FBW in the tank)

Please take note that the NVS will become muddy after two to three years so if you cannot tolerant the muddy-look of your substrate, better don't use it. However i personally find it looks natural.

By the way, the NVS and ADA soil is not advisable to mix with other type of gravel but it can be use with pre-mixed base fert such as JBL aquabasis, ADA powersand ......etc.

**Alfa Low** · 18th Dec 2002, 14:30

----------------
On 12/18/2002 2:16:19 PM

how much will the pH be lowered by using ADA aquasoil the south american river type as opposed to nisso volca sand? roughly how much will pH be lowered by these 2 products?
----------------

Normally the ADA amazonia aquasoil will achieve 5.5 to 6.5 and NVS will achieve 7.0 to 7.4 right after setup.

**kubrich** · 18th Dec 2002, 16:29

why don't you recomend the mixing of NSV and ADA aquasoil with other types of gravel like lonestar?what is wrong with doing that??
thanx

**Alfa Low** · 18th Dec 2002, 18:12

I don't encourage coz IMO it just doesn't look good and it ruins the purpose of NVS and ADA soil which provide wonderful overall appearance.Anyway, it is your taste and preference, i can't intervene.

**vinz** · 18th Dec 2002, 19:13

Alfa,

So just use NVS or ADA Soil by themselves without the usual gravel topping to prevent fouling and leeching? It does not muddy the water, say during uprooting and replanting, etc? What if the cichlids dig a depression to nest? Fertiliser supplementaion required?

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