Ada Amazona 2 or Gex Red Pack soil

**PKB** · 27th Jul 2011, 13:02

Hi bro and sis,

If given a choice, will you choose Ada Amazona 2 or Gex Red Pack soil for your planted tank? Assuming both are around the same price?

Thank you in advance for your advise.

**griffinkid** · 27th Jul 2011, 13:09

Hi! I think ADA 2 is a much better choice because the soil looks more natural. In addition, the pH buffered by ADA II is slightly higher around 6 wheras my experience with GEX is much lower at around 5 for a bag of new soil. So depending on how acidic you want your tank water to be you can consider either one of them. BUt having used both of them before I still prefer ADA (could probably because of branding influence. not sure!

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**David Moses Heng** · 27th Jul 2011, 13:48

ADA Amazonia 2. Simply because ADA substrate is soil based and having tried almost all brands, my preference would be
1) ADA,
2) Garden Soil
3) Denerle with lapi sand
4) Gex

Currently I have a two feet on full ADA substrate system and I am considering to set up one set on ferka...

Regards

**stormhawk** · 27th Jul 2011, 14:12

I too would agree with ADA being the choice. I have GEX soil in use in my 4 footer. The pH has been hovering around 5.6-5.8 of late.

**PKB** · 27th Jul 2011, 14:20

My worry about ADA is that will there be any water yellowing issue? Seen review that GEX soil does not breakdown easily and is known for clear water.

**David Moses Heng** · 27th Jul 2011, 15:05

ADA will only cause yellow/cloudy water when users do not follow the proper method of installation.

So far in my experience with ADA substrate system, I have not encounter yellow/cloudy water. Even when I do rescape using ADA substrate system, the cloudiness and yellowing will go away in a day or two.

I have set up about 12 tanks using the ADA system.

Cheers!!

**PKB** · 27th Jul 2011, 15:20

Originally Posted by Altum_lover76

ADA will only cause yellow/cloudy water when users do not follow the proper method of installation.

So far in my experience with ADA substrate system, I have not encounter yellow/cloudy water. Even when I do rescape using ADA substrate system, the cloudiness and yellowing will go away in a day or two.

I have set up about 12 tanks using the ADA system.

Cheers!!

Thanks for the sharing, do you use base fert when using ADA soil for planted tank?

Cheers..

**David Moses Heng** · 27th Jul 2011, 15:36

In order to experience what the ADA system can do, it is strongly recommended that usage of ADA power sand special is to be combined with the use of the ADA aqua soil series. and to answer your question, yes I always add the ADA powersand special when I use the ADA aqua soils.