ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia
the ultimate base for any planted aquarium
ADA Aqua Soil is the ideal substrate for a healthy aquarium with healthy aquatic plants. The bottom substrate is of great importance for healthy growth and development of aquarium plants. This organic substrate, without chemical additives, has been further developed since 1996 and ADA Aqua Soil has been the standard substrate for the planted aquarium for many years!
The most important positive features at a glance:
- Made from 100% natural, organic material
- Contains organic nutrients
- Reduced hardness
- Lowers the pH value
- Improves brightness
- Promotes water circulation in the soil
- Stimulates the development of plant roots
- Granules retain their shape, even after a long period of time
- Doesn't clog up
- Housing for bacteria and micro-organisms
- Storing nutritional reserves
- Grains do not scratch the glass
- improved breeding results of eg Crystal Red shrimps
More information about the properties of ADA Aqua Soil:
The advantage of the shape and weight of ADA Aqua Soil:
The shape of the granules allows the aquarium water to move through the substrate. This allows oxygen and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil. This promotes the activity of soil life and thus the biological balance. Together with the oxygen, the liquid plant food is also better fed along the roots. Because the substrate is airy and the granules are light, plant roots encounter less resistance during their development. Even with a substrate height of 20 cm, through-flow remains possible, without this layer settling and silting up due to the weight. A good root system gives the aquarium plant more resistance and it grows stronger!
The advantage of the structure of ADA Aqua Soil:
The concept is to provide an ideal environment for bacteria, as they regulate many important processes in the aquarium and keep the aquarium healthy. A biologically active soil contributes to a balanced ecosystem for the planted aquarium. The way the ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia granules are produced provides a large bonding surface for bacteria to harbor. Due to its shape, the supply of oxygen for the bacteria is optimal.
The advantage of the composition of ADA Aqua Soil:
The ADA Aqua Soil substrate is composed of organic material which contains the properties to lower the hardness and pH of the water (in the soil) to a level where most aquarium plants can optimally absorb their nutrients. The ADA Aqua Soil contains organic humic acids and nutrients that help aquarium plants grow. It also has the property, like clay, to store and release nutrients as soon as the aquarium plants ask for it. The colloid particles present trap dirt that floats in the water, without the use of chemical additives. This improves the clarity of the water! Not only can aquarium plants better absorb their nutrients, but this substrate is also particularly suitable for keeping and breeding shrimp.
The advantage of using ADA Aqua Soil:
The granules of ADA Aqua Soil retain their shape and hardness for a very long time and guarantee a good circulation of water, nutrients and oxygen through the substrate. Using ADA Aqua Soil, difficult plant species such as Tonina sp. better and it is also ideal for fish that prefer soft, acidic water. For aquarium plants with fine roots such as Hemianthus, Micranthemum and Glossostigma, a layer of ADA Aqua Soil Powder Type can be applied. In smaller aquariums, Powder Type can be used on its own without Normal Type. Aquarium plants are extremely easy to plant in ADA Aqua Soil and quickly find a footing. It is best to use aquascape tweezers to place the aquarium plants in the substrate, so that there is as little displacement as possible.
Get the most out of the aquarium bottom layer:
When aquarium plants are used in the aquascape, where the roots extend far (such as Cryptocoryne and Echinodorus species), applying a layer of ADA Power Sand as a nutrient medium has a great advantage on the development of these aquarium plants. ADA Power Sand has the advantage that it contains nutrients. In addition, due to the coarse, porous structure, water circulation can take place even better in the lower soil layer. This is beneficial for the colonization and development of microorganisms. This stimulates plant growth and the biological balance even more. For the very best results for the planted aquarium, the complete ADA substrate system can be used. Thanks to this system, the soil conditions are further improved, such as an even better development of plant roots, absorption of nutrients, bacteriological activity, binding of dirt particles, clearer water, etc.
In the most ideal situation, the structure for the aquarium bottom will look like this:
- ADA Bacteria 100
- ADA Clear Super
- ADA Tourmaline BC
- ADA Power Sand
- ADA Aqua Soil Normal
- ADA Aqua Soil Powder
Our advice is to use at least ADA Power Sand Advance, together with ADA Aqua Soil. The other additions are optional, but will certainly make a positive contribution.
Advice for using ADA Aqua Soil:
Read the instructions for use before using ADA Aqua Soil. This states, among other things, that Aqua Soil should not be rinsed/washed out before use. ADA Aqua Soil is applied in an empty and dry aquarium and modeled using an ADA Sand Flattener and/or brush. (On top of any substrate additions and/or ADA Power Sand.) The Hardscape is then applied. Carefully a layer of Powder type can now be applied and spread with a brush.
Before the plants are applied, it is advisable to wet the Soil thoroughly with, for example, a plant sprayer. The granules absorb water and do not float later. Planting will also be easier. Always use suitable aquascape tweezers for this! After planting, the plants can be covered with damp kitchen paper and the aquarium carefully filled with water. Make sure that the water does not flow too fast, so that the soil and the newly added plants become loose!
The Aqua Soil is full of nutrients that can cause nitrite peaks in the beginning. Don't bring animals in until it's safe!! Also be aware of fish such as Corydoras and Apistogramma species that can stir up the substrate. We are not responsible for misuse or damage and the use of ADA Aqua Soil is at your own risk. It is with good reason that many participants and champions of the International Aquatic Plant Layout Contest choose ADA Aqua Soil when setting up the aquarium and this can rightly be called the best soil for the planted aquarium!
IMPORTANT: Water change in the start-up phase:
1st week: Change half of the water every day
2nd week: Change half of the water every 2 days
3rd week: Change half of the water every 3 days
4th week: Start tapering down to 10-50% water changes every week.
For more information about applying ADA Aqua Soil, visit our Youtube channel: Tips & tics
surface
fish tank
L x D (cm)
| required number of liters for
approx. how many cm soil layer
(??cm at the front window / ??cm rear window) | 1 bag of
3 liters
| 1 bag of
9 Liters |
| 6cm
(4 / 8) | 7cm
(4 / 10) | 8.5cm
(5 / 12) | 10cm
(5 / 15) | 12cm
(5 / 19)
| 14cm
(5 / 23) | ??cm | ??cm |
| 20×20 | 2.4 L
| 2.8 L | 3.4 L | 4.0 L | 4.8 L | 5.6 L | 7.5cm | 22.5cm |
| 30x20 | 3.6 L | 4.2 L | 4.8 L | 6.0 L | 7.2 L | 8.4 L | 5.0 cm | 15.0 cm |
| 30x30 | 5.4 L | 6.3 L | 7.2 L | 9.0 L | 10.8 L | 12.6 L | 3.3cm | 10.0 cm |
| 40x20 | 4.8 L | 5.6 L | 6.9 L | 8.0 L | 9.6 L | 11.2 L | 3.8cm | 11.3cm |
| 45x30 | 8.1 L | 9.5 L | 10.8 L | 13.5 L | 16.2 L | 18.9 L | 2.2cm | 6.7cm |
| 60x30 | 10.8 L | 12.6 L | 15.4 L | 18.0 L | 21.6 L | 25.2 L | 1.7cm | 5.0 cm |
| 60x45 | 16.2 L | 18.9 L | 21.6 L | 27.0 L | 32.4 L | 37.8 L | 1.1 cm | 3.3cm |
| 70x40 | 16.8 L | 19.6 L | 23.8 L | 28.0 L | 33.6 L | 39.2 L | 1.1 cm | 3.2cm |
| 80x35 | 16.8 L | 19.6 L | 23.8 L | 28.0 L | 33.6 L | 39.2 L | 1.1 cm | 3.2cm |
| 80x40 | 19.2 L | 22.4 L | 27.4 L | 32.0 L | 38.4 L | 44.8 L | 0.9 cm | 2.8cm |
| 80x50 | 24.0 L | 28.0 L | 34.3 L | 40.0 L | 48.0 L | 56.0 L | 0.8 cm | 2.3cm |
| 90x45 | 24.9 L | 28.4 L | 32.4 L | 40.5 L | 48.6 L | 56.7 L | 0.7 cm | 2.2cm |
| 100x40 | 24.0 L | 28.0 L | 34.3 L | 40.0 L | 48.0 L | 56.0 L | 0.8 cm | 2.3cm |
| 100x50 | 30.0 L | 35.0 L | 40.0 L | 50.0 L | 60.0 L | 70.0 L | 0.6 cm | 1.8cm |
| 110x40 | 26.5 L | 30.8 L | 35.2 L | 44.0 L | 52.8 L | 61.6 L | 0.7 cm | 2.0 cm |
| 110x50 | 33.0 L | 38.5 L | 44.0 L | 55.0 L | 66.0 L | 77.0 L | 0.5 cm | 1.6cm |
| 120x40 | 28.8 L | 33.6 L | 40.8 L | 48.8 L | 57.6 L | 67.2 L | 0.6 cm | 1.9cm |
| 120x50 | 36.0 L | 42.0 L | 48.0 L | 60.0 L | 72.0 L | 84.0 L | 0.5 cm | 1.5 cm |
| 120x60 | 43.2 L | 50.4 L | 57.6 L | 72.0 L | 86.4 L | 100.8 L | 0.4 cm | 1.3cm |
| 130x40 | 31.2 L | 36.4 L | 41.6 L | 52.0 L | 62.4 L | 72.8 L | 0.6 cm | 1.7cm |
| 130x50 | 39.0 L | 45.5 L | 52.0 L | 65.0 L | 78.0 L | 91.0 L | 0.5 cm | 1.4cm |
| 130x60 | 46.8 L | 54.6 L | 62.4 L | 78.0 L | 93.6 L | 109.2 L | 0.4 cm | 1.2cm |
| 150x50 | 45.0 L | 52.5 L | 60.0 L | 75.0 L | 90.0 L | 105.0 L | 0.4 cm | 1.2cm |
| 150x60 | 54.0 L | 63.0 L | 72.0 L | 90.0 L | 108.0 L | 126.0 L | 0.3 cm | 1.0 cm |
| 160x50 | 48.0 L | 56.0 L | 64.0 L | 80.0 L | 96.0 L | 112.0 L | 0.4 cm | 1.1 cm |
| 160x60 | 57.6 L | 67.2 L | 76.8 L | 96.0 L | 115.2 L | 134.4 L | 0.3 cm | 0.9 cm |
| 180x60 | 64.8 L | 75.6 L | 92.6 L | 86.4 L | 108.0 L | 129.6 L | 0.3 cm | 0.8 cm |
| 180x70 | 75.6 L | 88.2 L | 100.8 L | 126.0 L | 151.2 L | 176.4 L | 0.2 cm | 0.7 cm |
| See examples of how much substrate is needed in the aquarium in PDF: link |
