Aquasoil (aquarium plant substrate)
Also known as: ADA Aquasoil, Tropica Aquarium Soil, Fluval Stratum, UNS Controsoil
Avoid in aquaponics
Properties
| Bacterial surface area | 300 m² per m³ |
|---|---|
| pH effect | slightly acidic |
| Weight class | medium |
| Longevity | 3 years before degradation |
| Cost tier | high |
In a system
- Releases ammonia for 2-6 weeks after wetting; designed for fishless planted aquariums where this is a feature, not a bug
- In an aquaponics loop the ammonia release will spike levels into toxic range for any fish in the system, and the biofilter can't keep up because it isn't established
- Breaks down into mud over 2-3 years, clogging pumps, plumbing, and grow-bed drains
- Costs 5-10× what LECA or expanded shale costs for an inferior outcome in a fish-bearing system
- Sometimes recommended online by people confusing aquaponics with high-tech planted aquariums; the two have opposite requirements
Notes
There is no situation in which aquasoil is a better choice than LECA or expanded shale for an aquaponics media bed. The closest legitimate use is a planted aquarium with no aquaponics component.
Sources
ada-aqua-design-amano, tropica-spec-sheets
See the full aquaponics media reference for comparison, or use the aquaponics system designer to plan a complete setup.