Scale Stem
Length
Volume
Temp
Weight
Theme

Aquasoil

Also known as: ADA Amazonia, Tropica Aquarium Soil, Fluval Stratum, Landen Aquasoil, Brightwell FlorinVolcanit

Properties

pH effectlowers pH
KH (carbonate hardness)softens
GH (general hardness)neutral
Nutrient loadvery high
Ammonia release initiallyYes (cycle the tank before stocking)
Particle size1 to 4 mm
Longevity2 years before replacement / refresh
Cost tierhigh

How it affects the tank

  • Pre-loaded with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and trace elements: planted-tank specialists use it for rapid plant establishment without water-column dosing for the first 6-12 months
  • Releases ammonia for roughly the first 2-6 weeks (ADA Amazonia can spike to around 2 ppm), so the tank must be cycled fishless before stocking, or carry a heavy plant load to consume the ammonia as fertiliser
  • Acidifies the water, pulling pH toward about 6.0-6.5 and softening KH, which suits soft-water community fish and most plants but is incompatible with hard-water species
  • Exhausts in about 1-3 years depending on plant load, after which the granules become inert and the tank shifts to root-tab dosing

Care notes

Premium aquasoils (ADA Amazonia, Tropica) are the planted-tank standard but expensive, and budget alternatives (Fluval Stratum, Landen) work with less nutrient density and shorter life. Do not stir them vigorously once placed, since the granules crumble into mud. Because fresh aquasoil leaches ammonia, which is highly toxic to fish, the tank should be fishless-cycled or heavily planted before any fish are added.

Plants that work in aquasoil

73 aquarium plants in the catalog list this substrate as compatible.

Back to aquarium substrate reference

Further reading