Which ADA soil makes a better substrate for an Apistogramma tank?

**doubleace** · 5th Dec 2007, 19:24

Hi guys

- Malaya
- Africana

From this 2 type of ADA soil which is use to reduce the pH and soften the water in the aquarium best for keeping apisto.

**doppelbanddwarf** · 5th Dec 2007, 19:36

ADA Africana is the one commonly used by apisto hobbyist for its pH lowering and water softening properties.

**yorky** · 5th Dec 2007, 19:37

I have not tried Malayan.
Both Africana and Amazonia are just as good for lowering PH and softening the water.

**Shadow** · 5th Dec 2007, 19:45

if Im not mistaken all ADA soils have lowering PH and softening feature. The different is on the nutrient content and pH stable point.

**doubleace** · 6th Dec 2007, 10:58

Thank bros! So i will go for ADA Africana since it is commonly used.

**doppelbanddwarf** · 6th Dec 2007, 11:03

ADA Amazonia is also commonly used. An alternative would be GeX substrates which also has similar properties. But between Malaya and Africana i guess the more common one is Africana

**doubleace** · 6th Dec 2007, 11:50

oh because i wanted to have a brighter subtrate instead of using the black 1.

**leeruisheng** · 6th Dec 2007, 16:51

Apistogrammas are from Amazon basin so it will be more appropriate if you were to use ADA aquasoil amazonia. If it does matter to you if the two elements are from the same biotope.

**doubleace** · 6th Dec 2007, 19:42

oh ok.. what do you mean by the 'two elements are from the same biotope'?

**illumnae** · 6th Dec 2007, 19:59

he means that ADA amazonia is actually created to emulate soil from the amazon region. however, i think amazonia doesn't really simulate the actual conditions of apistos in the wild. ADA Africana is usually used for apistos due to its ph lowering properties that stablize ph between 5.0-5.5, which is a ph that apistos love =) ADA Amazonia usually brings ph to the mid 6s and is used more for planted tanks due to its higher nutrient content.

If you decide against Africana and want the Amazonia instead for looks/planting purposes, i'll recommend you to use Gex (green pack) soil instead of ADA

**doubleace** · 6th Dec 2007, 20:18

oh I see...

I'm not really doing planted tank because apisto need lesser thing in the tank so i decided to put only fern on driftwood and cave in it will do. Thats why i choose africana instead of amazonia

(Edit: doubleace, please kindly refrain from those SMS shortforms... thanks!)

**illumnae** · 6th Dec 2007, 20:31

good choice =)

**doubleace** · 6th Dec 2007, 20:55

Thanks bro

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Which ADA soil makes a better substrate for an Apistogramma tank?

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