Aquasoil + powersand

Just get 6L of AS and no PS.

Either way I would get the 6L

I have the almost the same problem as kmg9000.

Will putting an inch of black sand on top of aquasoil be alright for a shrimp only tank? Will it still be able to lower down the pH? Buying another bag of aquasoil is pretty much out of the question for now.

is it neccessary to cap the aquasoil with something at all or can it be used alone

give powersand a try, you might like it.

It does not need to be capped and I think it's better not to cause it will all mix eventually making it look like crap.

I have powersand/aquasoil layered and so far there are zero complaints

i have a 10 gallon and used powersand and aquasoil and i wish i didn't use the powersand. i was pulling plants and if the plant has a good root system it pulls a whole crap load of the powersand to the top. it took me 5 mins to pull plants and an hour to pick all the powersand that it brought to the top out. if you plan on changing things in your tank keep this in mind.

correct placement of powersand in the tank prior to the addition of aquasoil is imperative for optimal performance, and ease of maintenance.

aquanut415 said:

correct placement of powersand in the tank prior to the addition of aquasoil is imperative for optimal performance, and ease of maintenance.

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Could you expand on this comment a little? Im about to setup a tank with ps and as. What is the correct placement of ps? I was going to spread it out about an inch or 2 from the sides of the glass, and then layer about 2-3 inches of as on top. What am I missing?

well.. there are a few different ways to make it work. take your pick..

one, is to simply add powersand only to the back 1/3 of the tank area, and keep it mounded so that it rests against the back piece of glass. kinda like making a bead of silicone against the bottom piece of tank glass, and the back piece of glass. works well, but you will get powersand pulling up during replanting...

alternatively, you can evenly distribute the ps all over the bottom of the tank, and secure it with some stainless steel screen. then add aquasoil over that...

another would be to put the powersand in a sturdy thick filter sock, and place that under the aquasoil in an area you do not plan to plant so deeply.

or, put the powersand in the canister of a filter...

the list goes on... be creative, and yet, but thoughtful, and you might find yourself using powersand on all your tanks with aquasoil....possibly even fluorite?

man i wish i would have know about the ss screen over top of it a few months ago =] oh well live and learn thanks for the tips aqua

no problem.

i strongly urge anyone using aquasoil for the first time to endulge, and try some powersand as well.

initially i didn't see a use for it. but, after having setup a few tanks with and without, and watching them for a while now, i will not be setting up any tanks without it any time in the near future.

(now, i'll just sit back and watch all the nay sayers do just that!) and still not care at all.

I'm making a tank with PS and ASA and I'm using plants like HC and Hairgrass,
what would be the best method of use with the Power Sand. I would hate if the
Power Sand mixed with the ASA, so keep that in mind.

You could use Profile or Turface instead, similar porosity but better CEC than PowerSand. Then add whatever additives you want (plant tabs, peat, etc.)

Raul-7 said:

You could use Profile or Turface instead, similar porosity but better CEC than PowerSand. Then add whatever additives you want (plant tabs, peat, etc.)

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instead of buying one thing designed for the plantedtank, you are gonna go buy another not designed for the planedtank? where is the logic in that???

and where are you getting your information from? where is the CEC for powersand stated?

aquanut415 said:

instead of buying one thing designed for the plantedtank, you are gonna go buy another not designed for the planedtank? where is the logic in that???

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Hobbyists have been doing it for years. Shultz Aquatic Soil is another alternative, however Profile is exactly the same yet cheaper. Not to mention, nothing is really magical about PS, it's just pumice, carbon, peat and maybe some trace elements. Not to difficult to replicate without the high price tag, pumice can be bought for cheap at a bonsai or hydroponic store. Add some laterite, maybe some Greensand (it's loaded with traces and K) and some regular filter carbon - there's your PS at 1/5th the cost.

aquanut415 said:

and where are you getting your information from? where is the CEC for powersand stated?

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It's nothing but peat and pumice (inert glass). The only CEC comes from the peat and the carbon they add. The pumic is simply for the porosity which provides a medium for the beneficial bacteria to grow and it helps aerate the roots.

Raul-7 said:

Not to difficult to replicate without the high price tag, pumice can be bought for cheap at a bonsai or hydroponic store. Add some laterite, maybe some Greensand (it's loaded with traces and K) and some regular filter carbon - there's your PS at 1/5th the cost.

Click to expand...

there you go.. instead of using powersand you are saying to use greensand and laterite. where does one go about buying greensand? i guess i have to go to the home supply place... there is some more time and money spent. what about the laterite??? i guess then i can drive to the aquarium store and buy that too. before you also mentioned roottabs..... and on and on and... on... did you forget to mention diamond black? and mulm from an established tank?? .......

im suggesting that the expense of aqusoil is worth it when you consider the amount of simplification it offers.

and if PS is so useless, why go to through all that trouble to duplicate the effects it creates?