which soil to recommend

[tweakmax2]

I cant afford expensive soil. So which brand or type is value for money. Do we need to wash soil before use?

[Krakenwagen]

Hi there! Are you gonna start a full planted? Planning on getting plants to 'carpet'? Get ADA soil.
I didn't want to get expensive soil so used a certain brand and 2 months after using i'm still screaming for 'H.E.L.P.'.
But I think my inexperience also added to the problem, maybe some pros can give better advice!

[LideBoi]

You don t want to pour everything out and then restart everything again later right. Get your foundation right.

Use ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia. Ask around and some may be willingly to sell you in loose quantities, but look out for genuine.

[furyprix]

Agree with the other bros, in this hobby where things don't come cheap, its often better to rely on reliable brands that many fishkeepers/aquascapers use, take for example ADA, Gex, Seachem (not referring only to aquasoil). But of course, using quality aquasoil (trusted brands) doesn't guarantee success too. It all falls on the word 'balance'. Do more searches on the forums and you'll see some scapers who have impressive scapes too, with or without ADA aquasoil. But as a fellow user of ADA aquasoil, I'll also recommend ADA if you're going for a mid-densely planted tank. We do see 'cheaper than LFS' items now and then, if you're willing to wait and are fast enough to get these deals, you can wait. But I must admit that those in this hobby, usually can't wait!

[Krakenwagen]

oh and to answer your question about rinsing, don't have to, as washing it will wash off the ferts in the soil.

[Urban Aquaria]

If you are planning to start a planted tank with lots of rooted plants, and if this is the first time you are setting one up... then in my opinion ADA Amazonia aquasoil would be the best overall value for money. At around $40 for a 9L bag (or around $25 for a 3L bag, if you have a small tank), the prices work out not much different from other brands, at most +/- $5-$10 (less than the cost of a weekend movie ticket).

For the small difference in price, might as well go for the tried and tested ADA aquasoil, it has the necessary nutrients to kickstart and maintain plant growth and since lots of people use it, if you have any problems you can ask and get solutions from more people (rather then use less popular/unknown soil brands then ask questions but get no response).

Most people usually assume that ADA aquasoil would be very expensive, but its actually pretty much one of the few products in the ADA range that is competitively priced (compared to the rest of their products), that's why lots of people use it.

[Cliftonha]

If you are planning to start a planted tank with lots of rooted plants, and if this is the first time you are setting one up... then in my opinion ADA Amazonia aquasoil would be the best overall value for money. At around $40 for a 9L bag (or around $25 for a 3L bag, if you have a small tank), the prices work out not much different from other brands, at most +/- $5-$10 (less than the cost of a weekend movie ticket).

For the small difference in price, might as well go for the tried and tested ADA aquasoil, it has the necessary nutrients to kickstart and maintain plant growth and since lots of people use it, if you have any problems you can ask and get solutions from more people (rather then use less popular/unknown soil brands then ask questions but get no response).

Most people usually assume that ADA aquasoil would be very expensive, but its actually pretty much one of the few products in the ADA range that is competitively priced (compared to the rest of their products), that's why lots of people use it.

I agree. Months ago when I was deciding on the brand of soil, I thought that ADA's Aquasoil would be expensive, given it's brand. However after finding out the cost and some simple calculations, it is actually not alot more expensive when compared dollar per kilogram.

Went ahead with ADA Amazonia and no regrets!

[Shadow]

Most people usually assume that ADA aquasoil would be very expensive, but its actually pretty much one of the few products in the ADA range that is competitively priced (compared to the rest of their products), that's why lots of people use it.

Same as almost anything else, if you can sell it in large quantity, you can get it at lower price.

ADA soil amazonia. Simple reason, when your tank fail, you know it is not because of the soil because thousands of hobbyist use it with success . One parameter less to trouble shoot for .

[Darick]

Can anyone share their experience as to

1. How long before you need to change the soil (assume using ADA Aqua Soil) or do you even change?
2. If need to change, how you go about doing that? Redo the whole tank?

Thanks in advance

[thebaldingaquarist]

cheapest soil is garden soil, which is also the most unstable.

[tweakmax2]

Where is he best place to get Ada soil.

How many kg is sufficient for a 3x2x2 tank

[felix_fx2]

cheapest soil is garden soil, which is also the most unstable.

I agree, not to be ventured unless studied!

Where is he best place to get Ada soil.

How many kg is sufficient for a 3x2x2 tank

they sell all about the same price, not a huge difference. Cannot even save $10 per pack... $2-4 per pack at least if you buy alot at one go...

few years back i bought 3 packs to start below is the thread.
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...-HC?highlight=

what you use (and how much you can use)\\highly depends on your overall budget... the hardscape also need to factor in.
easily 300 if going for those top notch stuff...

[blue33]

HK selling $18 a pack if you can carry back.

[Urban Aquaria]

Can anyone share their experience as to

1. How long before you need to change the soil (assume using ADA Aqua Soil) or do you even change?
2. If need to change, how you go about doing that? Redo the whole tank?

Thanks in advance

It's usually not necessary to change the soil in planted tanks, eventually when most of the initial nutrients deplete (usually around 9-12 months for ADA aquasoil, depending on the types of plants used, density and growth rate), just insert root tabs or sticks to keep the soil rejuvenated for rooted plants.

If for some reason need to change soil, then no choice have to redo the whole tank... that's why it's worth putting in good soil from the start or else very hassle to redo the substrate.

[Darick]

Thanks.

Makes sense.
1. Is there a guide on number of root tabs/sticks to insert?
2. Usually how far apart do you recommend?

It's usually not necessary to change the soil in planted tanks, eventually when most of the initial nutrients deplete (usually around 9-12 months for ADA aquasoil, depending on the types of plants used, density and growth rate), just insert root tabs or sticks to keep the soil rejuvenated for rooted plants.

If for some reason need to change soil, then no choice have to redo the whole tank... that's why it's worth putting in good soil from the start or else very hassle to redo the substrate.

[Urban Aquaria]

Where is he best place to get 5cma soil.

How many kg is sufficient for a 3x2x2 tank

You can get from places like C328, Polyart, Y618, Fishy Business, Sun Pets etc, just shop around to find them (in case certain places happen to be out of stock).

To work out the approximate amount of soil for a tank, just calculate the base area and substrate height you prefer... so for your 3x2x2 tank, the base area will be 90cm X 60cm, and say if you are planning for an average substrate height of 5cm, then the calculations would be:

90 x 60 x 5 =27,000 ÷ 1,000 = 27 liters/kg of soil

If you plan to create dramatic high slopes like in those ADA mountain scape tanks, then more soil will be needed.

On the other hand, if you plan to do those scapes with sand bank in front and sandy pathway, then less soil is required as they'll only be used to fill the back half of the tank.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks.

Makes sense.
1. Is there a guide on number of root tabs/sticks to insert?
2. Usually how far apart do you recommend?

In my case i use ADA multi bottom and iron bottom (depending in the plants in the tank), i basically follow the bottle instructions of inserting 1 stick per 15cm x 15cm area of rooted plants.

Other brands of root tabs/sticks may have different dosage recommendations so just have to follow their instructions.

[bennyc]

HK selling $18 a pack if you can carry back.

That is interesting. 9kg pack or 3kg?

[blue33]

9kg pack

[felix_fx2]

That is interesting. 9kg pack or 3kg?

Tell me when you go hkg to buy...
Help me carry back & save me the air ticket.

Joking.....



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