Choice of Substrate

[feide]

Hi guys, I am setting up a new high tech 2ft tank.
For my first tank, I used gravel with JBL base fert which was quite good.
This time round, I am thinking of using substrate like ADA aquasoil or Seachem flourite. From my understanding, such substate acts as fertilizer itself thus there is no need to add base fert (pls correct me if I am wrong...)

My LFS also recommended me this Jap brand call Nisso. Anyway he says he also got some unknown Taiwanese brand selling at half the price compared to Nisso.
Can someone kindly advise which type of substrate to use? I am thinking of planting HC, glosso and Blyxa japonica.

[Merviso]

Hi Bro, you may like to try GEX aquasoil. I personally find it easy to start with, especially for beginner like me, and good for many different types of plants...

[christopher.wtc]

Hi feide, there is no problem with mixing these 2 substrates up and they wont need a base fert too. They are good brands of substrate.
However there are advantages using only one single brand. ADA products work hand in hand, each ADA individual product compliments the other therefore you will see better results in plant growth. The other advantage is that by using a singular brand keeps the guess work out. For ADA, their products have been manufactured in a way that you will have a balance and proper ratio of the amount of nutrients if you are using the whole ADA system. If you are mixing brands, you will really have to look up the contents to match every single different brand products.
The catch or disadvantage is if you are using one single brand, you may not be able to find all the products at one LFS, some may even have to be bought over websites. And yes, a single brand system is costly if you are using ADA full system.
In my experience, Seachem products are more affordable and their products are more available in LFS. I’m currently using Seachem full system, all are Seachem products, I wont say it is as good as ADA products but it sure does the job. Good luck.

[feide]

Hi feide, there is no problem with mixing these 2 substrates up and they wont need a base fert too. They are good brands of substrate.
However there are advantages using only one single brand. ADA products work hand in hand, each ADA individual product compliments the other therefore you will see better results in plant growth. The other advantage is that by using a singular brand keeps the guess work out. For ADA, their products have been manufactured in a way that you will have a balance and proper ratio of the amount of nutrients if you are using the whole ADA system. If you are mixing brands, you will really have to look up the contents to match every single different brand products.
The catch or disadvantage is if you are using one single brand, you may not be able to find all the products at one LFS, some may even have to be bought over websites. And yes, a single brand system is costly if you are using ADA full system.
In my experience, Seachem products are more affordable and their products are more available in LFS. I’m currently using Seachem full system, all are Seachem products, I wont say it is as good as ADA products but it sure does the job. Good luck.

Hi Christopher

Thanks for the advice!
MOst likely I will be using a single brand for this tank while I polish up my water chemistry knwledge

I thinking of using Seachem products in the first place too but found out that ADA is quite popular so wanted to know more before committing.

Yeah, its really quite difficult to find Seachem products. Where did you manage to find Seachem flourite?

[feide]

thanks bro Merviso

will go check out GEX aquasoil. how much did you get them at?

[Biotopeshop]

Hi,

We stock ADA products and we will try our best to answer to your queries. Please feel to contact us at [email protected]

Best regards

[christopher.wtc]

Yes feide,
Seachem flourite are hard to come by, you can either get it online, or you can proceed down to petmart at B/151 Serangoon North Ave 2 to order from them. There are about 7 types of flourite. They have only the red clay flourite in stock. You might have to order from them if the stock is what not you want. I use black sand flourite, its fine substrate. Black is good when contrasting especially with green plants.
Again good luck.

[feide]

Hi christopher

Thanks! I will go Petmart if I decide to use Flourite

[cyclops]

For me i prefer ADA as dont need to fert the tank so often. Am using ADA for 2 of my shrimp tank and a planted tank and all the plants are thriving.

[illumnae]

NA carries flourite too

[feide]

thanks bro. I just went to NA yesterday, got GEX since quite good feedback for this substrate.
at work now and its only Monday... feel like taking leave, go home and set up my tank.

[WaterH2O]

Typical choice of substarte for aquarists are ADA, GEX but I can add in another magicsoil not too bad too. I think it is cheaper also.