How Do I Choose the Right Substrate for my Aquascape?
How do I Choose the Right Substrate for my Aquascape?
Choosing the right substrate for your aquarium largely depends on your planting goals.
If you plan to incorporate stem plants, carpeting plants, or heavy root feeders, using aquasoil is advisable. This substrate provides essential nutrients that support healthy plant growth, regardless of whether you opt for a 'low-tech' or 'high-tech' setup.
On the other hand, if you intend to focus primarily on epiphytic plants, you might consider using gravel or sand as your substrate. In this case, it’s important to add some fertiliser to your aquarium to ensure the plants receive the necessary nutrients.
Additionally, root tabs can be placed beneath any substrate to specifically target and nourish the plants’ roots.
Soil vs Soil Powder
Powder is a finer-grain version of aquasoil, which can be beneficial for a few reasons:
1. It is ideal for use in nano aquariums, where smaller grains are needed for compact tanks.
2. It serves as a top layer on aqua soil, making it easier to plant delicate carpeting plants, as the fine grains hold the plants securely in place.
Aquasoil Brands
Tropica Aquarium Soil
Tropica is a complete substrate, which can be used without any other types of bottom layer. It is an active bottom layer that lowers the pH value and slightly affects the water chemistry.
Aquavitro Aquasloum
Aquasolum™ is a lightweight, porous substrate derived from humic substances and minerals. Humic substances may increase the uptake of micro-nutrients.
- Lowers pH of alkaline water
- Ideal for planted aquariums, nanoscapes and shrimp tanks
- Complete nutrition for planted tanks
ADA Aquasoils
Africana
- Fewer nutrients, ideal for tanks with slow-growing plants
- Faster tank cycle time and fewer diatom issues
- Less water changes during start-up due to less nutrients being leached
- Ideal for beginners and those new to understanding water parameters
- Does not cloud water
- ‘Red’ colour soil, as seen in tropical regions
Malaya
- An acidic aquasoil helps to lower the pH which can be beneficial to some species of livestock
- Good choice for hard water areas to help soften the water
- Low Nitrogen content: Better for Cyptocoryne species and slower growing plants that don’t need to be trimmed and replanted frequently
- Can be used in conjunction with ADA Bottom Plus to increase nutrient content
Amazonia V2
- Contains the most nutrients for heavy planting of demanding plants such as stems
- Slightly lowers pH
- Requires daily water changes in the first few weeks
- Comes with additional ADA supplements containing nutritional components and organic acids to boost nitrogen in the soil and locally increase the concentration of the nutritional components
Water Changes with New Aquarium Soil
In nutrient-rich soils, it is common for ammonia to leach into the water column when first setting up an aquarium. This process is perfectly normal. However, it means you will need to perform regular water changes during the initial weeks until your aquarium's filter builds up enough beneficial bacteria to break down the ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate. Once this process is established, it will be safe to add livestock to your aquarium.
How much Aquarium Soil do I need for my Aquarium
- Measure the length and width of your tank in centimetres.
- Decide how thick you want the bottom layer of soil to be, about 5cm is a good start.
- (Remember you may want to create a sloped substrate for depth so bear this in mind)
- Calculation: L x W x Depth of Soil you require / 1000
This will give you a rough volume in litres of soil or soil powder required for your tank, however this assumes an all soil substrate, if you would like a sand or gravel foreground you may not need as much.
An ADA 60P which measures 60 x 27 x 30cm would require around 9 litres of aquasoil.