When your ADA substrate start to disintegrate?

**argonmt** · 5th Sep 2008, 09:37

Would like to find out from those who are using ADA substrate regarding the lifespan of ADA substrate(ADA soil + ADA power sand[base fert.]).

When its nutrient depleted, do you rescape everything.. or dose supplement nutrient to keep the plants healthy?

**EvolutionZ** · 5th Sep 2008, 09:57

have only used before ADA amazonia sand alone.. my ADA amazonia II bottom soil already turn to mud at the age of 3mths. leaving a thin layer on top that is still in normal grain form. thats why when i always did minor change to the tank. the whole tank will turn cloudy due to the bottom layer of "mud" is stirred up. not sure if its only me or not. but IMO, i rather use lapis sand with base fert. ADA soil to me is simply a tank clouding soil.
my 2 cents.

**argonmt** · 5th Sep 2008, 10:50

Originally Posted by EvolutionZ

have only used before ADA amazonia sand alone.. my ADA amazonia II bottom soil already turn to mud at the age of 3mths. leaving a thin layer on top that is still in normal grain form. thats why when i always did minor change to the tank. the whole tank will turn cloudy due to the bottom layer of "mud" is stirred up. not sure if its only me or not. but IMO, i rather use lapis sand with base fert. ADA soil to me is simply a tank clouding soil.
my 2 cents.

It seems like ADA soil only meant for those with firmed mind in the aqua setting.

**EvolutionZ** · 6th Sep 2008, 16:05

yea, best not to change your scape too often when you us ADA soil.
what i meant by minor change does not means rescape at all.. just shifting of some plants.. uprooting and trimming of some plants can acctually cloud my whole tank. well, thats ADA soil.

**AnA** · 17th Sep 2008, 08:20

Does the cloudy problem apply to other soil like GEX, Magic soil...etc? I think as long as it is "soil" instead of "sand"; such problem will not be eliminated. Actually, I am thinking of changing all my lapis sand substrate to either of the above mentioned soil. Come to think of it; maybe I should stick to Lapis sand.

**illumnae** · 17th Sep 2008, 09:56

clouding problem doesn't apply as much to Gex and Magic Soil. For Gex, any cloudiness that arises from a rescape is localized and settles in under 30 minutes

I kind of miss Gex actually, with the lapis sand/base fert that my latest tank is using, I have to be extra careful when uprooting as I don't want the base fert to be pulled out into my water.

**EvolutionZ** · 17th Sep 2008, 15:34

like what illumnae, my expierence with Gex is that it's cloudiness settle very quickly.. and you need to make a big stir to have a cloudy tank. ADA? just a small one and heres the cloudy tank. and it takes few days to get back crystal clear water.

**ct13** · 18th Sep 2008, 08:26

I am using Gex & Magic soil for the past eight months, so far so good. Still in granulate form.

was thinking of raising the height of the slope, so wish to try out the ADA Amazonia 9l pack(2 months ago). I slowly pour the soil into the tank with full water level, not so bad on water turn cloudy.

But to my surprise, I bought a few plants few days ago and start to plant it into the soil. it break down into powderly form. Making the tank so cloudly!!

Only 2 months, and it turn into muddy/powder form........

Was thinking of sucking it out...