Need to help to choose the subtrate and gravel to do the grass carpet in my tank.

[tunlinoo135]

Hi all,
\i want to make a grass carpet and plantation for my fish tank. can u suggest what kind of gravel and subtrate for my fish tank. please kindly advice. thanks.

[Shadow]

For planted tank, go for ada amazonia

[paradox]

Hi shadow, any reason for ada amazonia instead of amazonia 2 or new amazonia? I'm getting my substrate for a planted tank as well!

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[Shadow]

- Never try new amazonia yet, cant comment. When you crust new amazonia using finger, it feel like very fine sand compare to amazonia which feel sticky like clay. Sand have bad CEC (assuming it is made from compress fine sand).
- Amazonia II cruble easily and inside is red color. It is less nutrient than amazonia

[VSGenesis]

Just base on reviews i come across. In conclusion, ADA Amazonia or ADA Amazonia New is what you should go for if you're already down the ADA path. Though the former is no longer on the shelf if I'm not wrong. II had quite a bit of complains about it. Search google to find out more.

ADA Aquasoil, its good. No need to add those Penac or any of those ABC additives. You'll be suprised at Amano's body language and reply when asked about them. As one respectable guy once said, its "crazy talk".

Of course, ADA is not the only substrate in the market so if you're going for others, do lots of research before committing. You need to know whether it'll affect your water parameter in one way or another. Some folks have been known to place broken pieces of clay and then placed ordinary dirt on top. Dose EI and the plants grows just the same. But as a beginner like myself, i'll go with ADA Aquasoil. With confidence and more reading, i'll try/test on more "primitive" substrate.

[benjidog]

When it comes to substrate,

you need to note if the substrate is clean (no need rinse, just pour in to tank and use type),

Or comes with built in additives (minerals and what not special ingredients to make your plants happy and shrimps happy

but may not be wallet friendly).

Some substrate claim that they will maintain PH.
(shrimp keepers have a lot of favorites here - GEX, Borneowild, Benanachi (? spelling) )

Also, how long are you going to keep the present scape before you tear down and re-do?
6 months ? 1 year? 2 years?

What type of fish / shrimps kept?
If you are going for grass Carpet, even cheap lapis sand can also make it!

I use Dennerle substrate (old school) for my planted tank.
Remarks -
Bit more expensive option. Inert no nonsense substrate.