Aqua Design Amano (ADA) · Active aquasoil
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2
Japan · Dark brown to black · grain 2 to 5 mm
External link to adana.co.jp — opens in a new tab.
TL;DR, ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2
Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2 uses rare Japanese black soil with added "Amazonia Supplement" granules that enhance the nitrogen and humic content. The gold standard for Caridina shrimp tanks (Crystal Red, Bee, Blue Bolt morphs) because the active buffering holds pH in the 5.8 to 6.5 range that the genus requires.
Full specs
- Brand
- Aqua Design Amano (ADA)
- Country of origin
- Japan
- Category
- Active aquasoil
- Colour
- Dark brown to black
- Grain size
- 2 to 5 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 preferred, soft tap tolerable
- Difficulty
- 3 / 5
- Shrimp-safe
- Yes
- Best for
- Caridina shrimp, high-tech planted, ADA-style Nature Aquarium
How it works
Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2 uses rare Japanese black soil with added "Amazonia Supplement" granules that enhance the nitrogen and humic content. The clay pellets are baked at low temperature so they retain shape underwater for years while gradually releasing nutrients to plant roots. After two weeks in a new tank, water tests show pH 5.8 and detectable ammonia around 5 mg/L. After six weeks, ammonia is no longer detectable and pH stabilises at 6.2.
Best use cases
The gold standard for Caridina shrimp tanks (Crystal Red, Bee, Blue Bolt morphs) because the active buffering holds pH in the 5.8 to 6.5 range that the genus requires. Also the canonical choice for high-tech planted tanks running CO2 injection and EI dosing where strong root nutrition is the goal.
Common mistakes
Adding fish or shrimp before the ammonia cycle completes is the most common failure mode. Topping off with hard tap water exhausts the buffering capacity prematurely and shifts pH back toward neutral within months. Disturbing the substrate releases trapped ammonia into the water column and can cause a mini cycle.
Pro tips
A 3 cm layer at the front sloping to 6 cm at the back gives the planted-tank standard depth profile. Cap with a thin layer of inert sand only if a finer aesthetic is preferred; the cap can reduce nutrient flow to roots. The substrate is fragile, so avoid moving plants once established.
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.
Compare against another substrate.
Line up to four substrates side by side. Spec table, pH effect, ammonia release, nutrient content, shrimp safety.
Open the compare tool