Quote:
Originally Posted by styxx
..., may other ADA "Fanatics" may well read these comments and support this conclusion based on the length of time elapsed, and be in agreement.
|
Well I never considered myself a ADA AS Fanatic and was originally highly critical of it. Prior to trying it, I thought this stuff was more hype than anything else. When I saw first hand what this stuff was capable of, I instantly converted and am now a bonified ADA AS fanatic. I won't use anything else(not Eco-Complete, not Fluorite, not SAS, not SMS, not FloraBase), even if you gave me other substrates for free. My Motto why mess with other stuff when you know(through the work of people like Tom Barr) which is the best. I guess expense can be a limiting factor, but when you consider that ADA AS, likely has triple the life expectancy of other substrates, it is not that expensive relatively speaking. The question people have asked of me is: how can I be so sure that the substrate makes such a huge difference? I set up a tank using a template of another member who used ADA AS. I replicated everything as closely as possible including c02 injection, ferts, etc., with the only difference being that I used Schultz Aquatic Soil instead of ADA AS. Needless to say, I never came even close to replicating his success and the only variable that could account for that difference was the substrate.
I set up a 15 gallon high ADA AS II experimental tank. While it is too early to say how well it holds up as it was only set up Dec 26 2007. The plants continue to grow like weeds, there is very little and hardly noticeable green spot algae(on the Buddha ornament that gives the statue some character, surprisingly it is nowhere else to be seen - not on any plant leaves and not on the glass), water is crystal clear, the Kuhli Loaches are still alive and kicking. I am dosing Estimative Index at 1/2 the dosage as per Tom Barr's kind recommendation.
And of course I owe you, styxx, a debt of gratitude for directing me on how best to proceed when I first set up the tank with respect to water changes.