ADA · Active aquasoil
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Powder Ver.2
Japan · Dark brown to black · grain 1 to 2 mm
External link to aquasabi.com — opens in a new tab.
TL;DR, ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Powder Ver.2
Identical chemistry to the standard Amazonia Ver.2 but with finer grain size (around 1 to 2 mm) that suits small-rooted carpet plants and produces a smoother visual surface. A 1 cm cap of powder type over 4 cm of standard Amazonia gives carpet plants a denser planting medium while the larger grains beneath maintain water flow through the substrate.
Full specs
- Brand
- ADA
- Country of origin
- Japan
- Category
- Active aquasoil
- Colour
- Dark brown to black
- Grain size
- 1 to 2 mm
- pH target
- 5.8 to 6.5
- pH effect
- Lowers (strong)
- KH effect
- Lowers (strong)
- Ammonia release
- Strong
- Nutrient content
- Very high
- Buffering longevity
- 18 to 24 months (RO), 12 to 18 months (treated tap)
- Recommended water
- RO + remineraliser
- Difficulty
- 3 / 5
- Shrimp-safe
- Yes
- Best for
- Carpeting plants (Monte Carlo, dwarf hairgrass, HC Cuba), top dressing
How it works
Identical chemistry to the standard Amazonia Ver.2 but with finer grain size (around 1 to 2 mm) that suits small-rooted carpet plants and produces a smoother visual surface. Most aquarists layer the powder type over a standard-grain base.
Best use cases
A 1 cm cap of powder type over 4 cm of standard Amazonia gives carpet plants a denser planting medium while the larger grains beneath maintain water flow through the substrate. Pure powder layouts work for low-flow nano tanks but compact over time.
Common mistakes
Pure powder substrate in deeper layers (more than 3 cm) compacts and develops anaerobic pockets. Mixing powder and standard grain rather than layering reduces the value of using powder at all.
Pro tips
Pour powder type onto a damp standard-grain base via a paper funnel so it forms a level top layer without disturbing the underlying soil. The carpet plant gripping behaviour is noticeably better than on standard grain.
Plants that thrive in this substrate
Hand-curated pairings based on the substrate category, not a relational query.
- Cryptocoryne WendtiiCryptocoryne wendtiiHeavy root feeder, thrives on the strong ammonia and nutrients leaching from new aquasoil.
- Amazon SwordEchinodorus grisebachiiBackground rosette with extensive root system, builds tall on the rich substrate.
- Rotala RotundifoliaRotala rotundifoliaStem plant that colours strongest under low pH + high nutrient soil conditions.
- Monte CarloMicranthemum tweedieiCarpeting plant that pearls quickly when rooted directly into aquasoil with CO2.
- Ludwigia 'Super Red'Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red'Reds deepen on active aquasoil thanks to the consistent micro-nutrient release.
Sources & further reading
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