ADA Aqua Soil common misconception

[jazzlvr123]

thanks everyone for your thoughts on this topic i just wanted to say i learned a lot from reading this. not only about the characteristics of ADA AS but also that tom was homeless at one point and worked his way to the top. lol I would have never guessed.

[lescarpentier]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

If someone has some Malaya, or Africana, they'd be interested in sending me say 500mls or so worth, I can give you the analysis.
I'll be doing about 6 sediment types, so adding one or two more will not hurt.
Regards,
Tom Barr

Did you ever make this analysis?

[reddragon1977]

still waiting for more on this one!!!!! once you put aside the bitterness there is more infomation in this thread that the rest of the substrate forum

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by lescarpentier

Did you ever make this analysis?

Yes, he did.

From what I understand: Aquasoil performed as well as lake sediment and not as well as a combination of garden variety potting soil and sand. Of the 6substrates he studied, ADA AS Amazonia ranked 5th overall.

He found that enriched substrates outperformed inert substrates, but he did mention that a better test would have been to test Aquasoil with minimal water column dosing.

Tom acknowledged that while the ADA AS came in 5th it was under more controlled conditions with zero water column fertilization and much harder water. He still recommends AS+EI(lean or othewise) as being the best combo and not as messy as soil.

[dantra]

Originally Posted by Homer_Simpson

Yes, he did.

From what I understand: Aquasoil performed as well as lake sediment and not as well as a combination of garden variety potting soil and sand. Of the 6substrates he studied, ADA AS Amazonia ranked 5th overall.

He found that enriched substrates outperformed inert substrates, but he did mention that a better test would have been to test Aquasoil with minimal water column dosing.

Tom acknowledged that while the ADA AS came in 5th it was under more controlled conditions with zero water column fertilization and much harder water. He still recommends AS+EI(lean or othewise) as being the best combo and not as messy as soil.

Homer_Simpson is correct, Tom finished the experiment. The conclusion can be found on his site. It made for some interesting reading.

[plantbrain]

I finished one, however, I'm just starting another more detailed component test.
the break down of the available PO4, NO3, NH4 fractions as well as CEC, OM, Fe for ADA AS and powersand.

It's quite different than the growth rates over 8 weeks of Eurasian milfoil.
Few folks grow that, but it's a good model weed to use if you had to pick one.

It will be sometime later next month when I get that back.
I'm measuring the Yolo loam along with delta clay's, all class 1 Agricultural Soils.
This will answer what is in the ADA AS precisely.

I already did this for the ADA liquid ferts BTW.


Regards,
Tom Barr

[lescarpentier]

All of you,thanks for responding!!

[Clare12345]

Hi. I am planning to get Aqua Soil Amazonia to grow HC, but with my setup I don't want to use any sand on top of the soil. Should I go with Amazonia ll? I heard that is less cloudy, as was a problem with the first one. Will Amazonia ll cause problems with algae in my tank if it is not covered with sand?
Thank you,
Clare

[frozenbarb]

Aqua Soil doesn't need to be covered in sand.
I and II will both leech a big amount of ammonia at first. Which is gonna cause algae unless you start off with a big amount of plant.
Overall people say Aqua Soil Amazonia I is better.

[Clare12345]

I have read 1 or 2 posts saying Amazonia ll is better. Why do you think Amazonia l is better? What is the difference?

[Left C]

Over at APC is a thread by jsenske in the sponsor forum Aquarium Design Group that discusses the difference between I and II. Jeff isn't getting anymore II in because of its problems. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ad.php?t=51581

[frozenbarb]

LOL, Left C beat me too it, While I was still searching at APC
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ad.php?t=51581

[Left C]

This is my fastest ninja post.