travis simonson
Aquarium Advice Addict
OK, I've had this stuff for four months now and I've finally found time to redo my 30G tank with it. For those not familiar with this substrate it is produced by AquaDesignAmano (ADA) and is prized for it's ability to grow some the most difficult plants available.
I come to this substrate by way of my man czcz (Joe) who has been using it for some time now. I can't tell you how excited I am to be finally using this marvelous stuff. Thanks for the recommendation Joe
I purchased my Aquasoil Amazonia from Jeff Senske at Aquarium Design Group in Houston. It is imported from Japan, but from what I understand there are now multiple suppliers, so check around if you're interested.
Aquasoil is only part of the substrate solution from ADA. I also used an ADA product called PowerSand Special. It is a porous volcanic rock that is impregnated with nutrients and peat (to lower the pH of the water) that is designed to sit beneath the Aquasoil and provide macronutrients to the plants. I'm still a newbie when it comes to this stuff so keep watching this thread if you're interested in knowing how well it works for me and if it's actually worth it to use the PowerSand in conjuction with the Aquasoil.
The Aquasoil itself is amazing. In building this tank I first put down a thin layer of the Powersand and then covered it with granular Aquasoil. I then put down a top layer of powdered Aquasoil, almost like a large-grained sand. I wasn't sure what to think until I filled the tank and began planting. Holy lords of light! That stuff is amazing. Every plant I put into was held firmly and did not even consider floating out. I can only think that Takashi Amano spent untold hours researching granularity to find something that grabs stems like this stuff. It is simply unreal. I've used just about every substrate known in the hobby and this stuff makes them all look weak. I am absolutely, unbelievably, totally impressed. Thanks again Joe
Well, it's been two days now and it's too early to say if the stuff is as good as all the hype, but I am expecting great things. Like I said, if you're even remotely interested to know if this stuff works like they claim, keep your eye on this thread. I will update as things progress.
By the way, this is a 30 gallon tank with 96w of 50/50 6700K/10000K light and pressurized CO2. I keep strictly killifish in it and am planning on growing Tonina, Eriocaulon, Rotala, and anything else that may be interesting. I just can't wait to play
Here's a pic of the intial setup:
I come to this substrate by way of my man czcz (Joe) who has been using it for some time now. I can't tell you how excited I am to be finally using this marvelous stuff. Thanks for the recommendation Joe
I purchased my Aquasoil Amazonia from Jeff Senske at Aquarium Design Group in Houston. It is imported from Japan, but from what I understand there are now multiple suppliers, so check around if you're interested.
Aquasoil is only part of the substrate solution from ADA. I also used an ADA product called PowerSand Special. It is a porous volcanic rock that is impregnated with nutrients and peat (to lower the pH of the water) that is designed to sit beneath the Aquasoil and provide macronutrients to the plants. I'm still a newbie when it comes to this stuff so keep watching this thread if you're interested in knowing how well it works for me and if it's actually worth it to use the PowerSand in conjuction with the Aquasoil.
The Aquasoil itself is amazing. In building this tank I first put down a thin layer of the Powersand and then covered it with granular Aquasoil. I then put down a top layer of powdered Aquasoil, almost like a large-grained sand. I wasn't sure what to think until I filled the tank and began planting. Holy lords of light! That stuff is amazing. Every plant I put into was held firmly and did not even consider floating out. I can only think that Takashi Amano spent untold hours researching granularity to find something that grabs stems like this stuff. It is simply unreal. I've used just about every substrate known in the hobby and this stuff makes them all look weak. I am absolutely, unbelievably, totally impressed. Thanks again Joe
Well, it's been two days now and it's too early to say if the stuff is as good as all the hype, but I am expecting great things. Like I said, if you're even remotely interested to know if this stuff works like they claim, keep your eye on this thread. I will update as things progress.
By the way, this is a 30 gallon tank with 96w of 50/50 6700K/10000K light and pressurized CO2. I keep strictly killifish in it and am planning on growing Tonina, Eriocaulon, Rotala, and anything else that may be interesting. I just can't wait to play
Here's a pic of the intial setup:
and have them in the new substrate. I am so excited to see how they grow because I've had little luck with several of them previously in a non-Aquasoil tank. Thanks again nameless benefactor 
