Cycling ADA amazonia

[illumnae]

Hi all,

I have a 4x2x2 tank that's fully cycled and running stably for the last 7 months. It's been set up as a low tech tank, but lately my dad decided we're gonna upgrade it to a higher tech, so we got a co2 system and new lights (3wpg). The lights and co2 have already been up and running for a week with no major problems.

now, we're thinking of changing the substrate from Aquaclay to ADA Amazonia, and i've heard stories of ADA releasing large amounts of ammonia into the water in its initial 4 weeks or so. Given that my tank is already well cycled, and i'm going to do the planting together with the substrate change, how much "settling time" should i be looking at giving the ADA soil to fully discharge the ammonia, or would it be fine as the tank would be moderately densely planted and the filter (Eheim 202 fully cycled?

cloudy water wise, it'll be fine if i lay some plastic over the substrate and use a slow flow of water to minimize cloudy water right? i've used this method with africana and got crystal clear water from the outset, but i've heard amazonia is alot worse than africana

[genes]

Let the tank settle for a week before you introduce any faunas in. Meanwhile, plant as much floras as possible!