So i hear a lot about how it leeches ammonia like crazy at first. would it still be safe to dry start with it? would it be akin to dry starting with a dirted tank?

and has anyone grown UG in ada amazonia? ive heard some people have but a lot say it doesnt like the high nutrient substrate

I am currently growing a submerged ug carpet in amazonia and it seems to be spreading pretty well. it has only been about 1.5 weeks. But it is definitely sending out runners.

is it like a new tank/new substrate or was it established with new UG planted?

new tank new substrate

I've gown UG in and out of water with Aquasoil. It grows great. Yes, the dry start is a good way to start the tank. No issues, in fact it is beneficial due to some bacterial activity in the moist soil before filling.

do you happen to be running co2? does the ph drop much?

I do. I run co2 to the point where the drop checker is greenish yellow (only plants in the tank right now so no worry about gassing the inhabitants)

does running co2 with the substrate change your ph by a lot? i know ada amazonia buffers ph to around 6.5? to 6.8. does co2 change that by much

I dont test the ph really. I have a ph probe, but i dont use it often and the solutions only go to 6 which is not low enough. my substrate buffers down to around 5.6-5.8 without co2

do you happen to have any crystal shrimp or anything? trying to gauge how the ph would affect them

In one tank i have crs and cbs. In the other i have tibee, shadow mosura TB, blue velvet, and crs and cbs. Everyone is doing well