What soil/substrate do you use to plant HC?

**Ifish** · 22nd Nov 2012, 22:02

I started out with Ans planta soil 9L for my planted tank.

Was at one of the biggest LFS and asked about ada Amazonia, one of the many reluctant assistant said why would I want to use lousy technology that clouds water for a month that is only a branded product.

Next ten minutes I just listen to him condemning ada brand. So I asked if they do carry since I read somewhere they were carrying. Truth is they used to have, now not anymore.

So my question here is has anyone tried both ans and ada soil for hc? Both seem to be having same qualities, lower ph and for planted tanks.

Would either one be a better substrate for growing hc?

what is your experience? Please share with me.

**Shadow** · 22nd Nov 2012, 22:23

IMO the best soil for planted tank is ADA aquasoil amazonia. Until today, I have no reason to switch to other brand yet. I used GEX (green bag) before and disappointed. I never used ANS, thus cannot comment. Cloudy water is because you don't know how to use it. If setup properly, the water should clear since day 1. I have use ADA soil in all my scape and experience one time cloudy water and that because I re-use old soil. Just check out my blog, all those tank are using ADA aquasoil.

**milk_vanilla** · 22nd Nov 2012, 23:12

I did not experience cloudy while use ada aquasoil for the first time. Even my canister filter was new too during that day.

You have to very gentle when pouring the water. It was almost 2 hr to fill up my 3 feet tank. I could pour it in few mins, but i would suffer in days or weeks. Ada has product to reduce cloudiness and stimulating bacteria especially for their soil, but i don't use it at that time.

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**mukyo** · 23rd Nov 2012, 08:25

Shifu can share why green gex is dissapointing?
These soils we pre wash first or straight put?
I only done gravel so far and want to setup new tank soon

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**Shadow** · 23rd Nov 2012, 09:03

At that time when i use gex green, plant grow rate drop significantly after 2 or 3 months. The leaf size reduce compare the same plant grow on aquasoil which indicate lack of nutrient. I manage to salvage it by using root tablet. After that never use gex again.

**mukyo** · 23rd Nov 2012, 22:15

Is there any point covering the top layer with quartz gravel? Or will it reduce the soil quality?
I think i will try to find ada soil then. Seems good review.

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**Shadow** · 23rd Nov 2012, 22:36

why would you want to add quartz/gravel on top of soil?

**mukyo** · 24th Nov 2012, 06:37

Not very sure sir... lol
Was thinking to keep nuttients or purely decorative reason.

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**e[V]o|ut|on** · 24th Nov 2012, 09:52

would you still be able to see the "decorative" side of the gravel once plants are planted on top of it?

anyway, I'm currently planning a 3ft tank as well and i've chosen to use ADA as well..