ADA Aqua Soil

**ahpui6** · 25th Jul 2014, 16:35

Good day!

I know this question might sound weird but, I was looking through fishy business website and I notice that there are 2 types of Ada Aqua Soil Amazonia. One is the [Powdered] while the other is not. The powdered one is almost twice as expensive as the non-powdered form.

Just curious if anyone know what are the differences between these two types of substrate? Are there other benefits that are tagged to the powdered form which explains its hefty price tag?

Thanks!

**Urban Aquaria** · 25th Jul 2014, 17:34

The "Powder Type" is a much smaller grain size version of the normal type... otherwise their qualities and characteristics are the same.

Here is a comparison of their size and texture:

Normal Type:

Powder Type:

Photo Source: http://www.adana.co.jp/en/products/n...ate/aqua_soil/

Most people use powder type in smaller tanks to enhance the sense of scale (normal type when used in smaller tanks tend to make the tank look even smaller)... and powder type is also used as a top layer in tanks that use carpet plants with small roots (ie. HC) as its easier to plant and root them in finer grain soil.

**adidasvintage** · 25th Jul 2014, 17:50

Just to add that powder type is easier for planting smaller plants like HC. Any it looks nicer in a small tank

**ahpui6** · 25th Jul 2014, 17:52

So is the content wise is the same? Can I buy the non-powdered form and grind them myself? HAHAH !

**wongce** · 25th Jul 2014, 18:13

Originally Posted by ahpui6

So is the content wise is the same? Can I buy the non-powdered form and grind them myself? HAHAH !

then it will become ADA powdered soil....you will have murky water too when you flood the tank....lol

**Urban Aquaria** · 25th Jul 2014, 18:18

Originally Posted by ahpui6

So is the content wise is the same? Can I buy the non-powdered form and grind them myself? HAHAH !

I also wish it were that simple... i've tried to grind and break apart the normal type aquasoil but they just crumble into dust so can't be used.

The alternative method is to use a sieve basket with 1-2mm size holes and try to sift out the small grains from normal type aquasoil... it can work to some extent, but the amount recovered is very little, like at most only 10% yield, therefore also not as effective too (unless you only need abit for a very small tank).

**Ingen** · 25th Jul 2014, 20:08

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the powder form is the by product of the normal ones. It sort of contradict it in term of oricing wise

**aquahob** · 25th Jul 2014, 21:46

thanks for the explanation.

**ahpui6** · 26th Jul 2014, 16:28

Oh dear, thought I can save some money. Thanks Wongce, UA and Ingen! Much appreciated!

**gid** · 27th Jul 2014, 11:38

Sorry to ride on this thread.

Last time there was Ama I, then Ama II, then New Ama...
What is the latest version now?

**Urban Aquaria** · 27th Jul 2014, 11:47

The latest version is still New Amazonia... but they don't call it that name anymore, its just labelled as "Amazonia" with new fonts and logo.

You can refer to these photos for the packaging design:

Source: http://www.adana.co.jp/en/sc/news/detail/1242