My first CRS tank after 8 times of redo

[Navanod]

Can I also add that the powder soil is used purely for aesthetics during aquascaping. During the setup of a planted tank, the normal soil that's at the front glass is purposely pushed back and powder soil is used to filled it all the way up, so anyone looking at the front of the tank would see a more uniformed and darker soil layer. Looks good when taking photos too.

A thin layer of powder soil is also scattered over all the visible normal soil at the end of planting and laying of rocks/woods. Again to make the topsoil look homogeneous and help hold down smaller plants like HC.

The normal grain ADA soil can last easily 2-3 years without breakdown much, but I'm not sure about the powder type.

[avex30]

Well why I say black soil have a tendency of crumbling faster.

1) gex green n red mix same it crumbles and the powder slip to the bottom.
2) benibachi soil same after awhile
3) borneawild soil
4) help advance
5) Ada Amazonia 2 n powder same issue

All above soil after 2-3 months I start noticing powdery form at the bottom of tanks. However currently using Ada Africana 2 going 3 month they are still very much is their grain form. I'm not saying it is good but at least it is what I perfer to use now.

[chansl]

Conclusion any one on soil issue .. I think if we can agree to some point of which few soil should be encouraged, the newbie like me will benefit alot from not buying the wrong soil as there are more and more soil coming out in the market. Some were untested .

[stormhawk]

Nice layout though I agree with some of the rest, the soil layer is too deep. Are you intending to plant anything in that depth of soil? Because if not, I personally feel it's a waste. Perhaps you can consider planting some fast growing plants like Hygrophila difformis, to deal with nitrates. I typically only use a depth half of that, for any tank, because the weight that the substrate adds can be fairly substantial, if you include in driftwood, rocks and such.

Too deep, you run the risk of dead spots forming in the substrate, especially under the base of the driftwood. Ditto for water flow once shrimp poop and stuff clog up the soil.

All soil types are basically some sort of coating with additives applied to pieces of gravel, like pea gravel and such. You will see these gravel bits appearing as the "soil" coating disappears over time, due to erosion or other factors. Not every soil will work correctly, since there is a difference in the types of additives used, and stories of defective batches, even among branded stuff. Though for peace of mind, if you are a newbie, go with recommended stuff like Mosura, Benibachi, etc.

[avex30]

Conclusion any one on soil issue .. I think if we can agree to some point of which few soil should be encouraged, the newbie like me will benefit alot from not buying the wrong soil as there are more and more soil coming out in the market. Some were untested .

Upz (Taiwan)
Breeder Soil (Saw bro Veggie selling in market before known to be use by Taiwan,HK,Macau,Japanese)
Ans (former only produce media now also into soil)
Nisso

A few others......