Aquasoils – nutritious substrates for aquarium design

When it comes to giving your fish and plants a healthy aquatic environment, aquasoils are essential. These specialty substrates are made to nourish the ecosystem in your aquarium and supply vital nutrients. Aquasoils, as opposed to ordinary gravel or sand, provide an abundant supply of nutrients that encourage healthy plant growth and support the preservation of water quality.

The success of your aquarium can be significantly impacted by your choice of aquasoil. Usually composed of natural materials, these substrates gradually release nutrients into the water to nourish and promote the growth of your plants. This helps your fish live in a healthier environment in addition to the plants.

This post will discuss the various kinds of aquasoils that are available, their advantages, and how to choose the ideal one for your aquarium setup. Whether you’re installing a new tank or trying to make your existing one better, knowing about

Type of Aquasoil	Features
Inert Substrates	These do not provide nutrients but are often used as a base layer. They help with water flow and provide a stable foundation for plants.
Active Substrates	These are designed to provide nutrients directly to plants. They often contain minerals

Purpose of aquasoils

Fish in aquariums thrive on the most basic types of soils, such as sand and gravel, but this is not always the case for aquarium plants. Since the root system has nowhere to take root in these fillers, it is not possible to anticipate healthy growth and development.

When shrimp were first kept in aquariums with inorganic soil, nutrient-rich soils were created because these crustaceans needed detritus absorption in addition to regular upkeep in a well-planted aquarium—something that was virtually nonexistent when mono-breeding in such aquariums.

The primary distinction between inert soils and nutrient substrates is the former’s capacity to affect the water’s acid-base balance. Underwater plants thrive in more acidic water because it contains more carbon dioxide, which is needed for photosynthesis.

Today, aquarists, or plant growers, make up the environment for using aquasoils. Aquascaping, or the breeding of aquatic plants, calls for particular circumstances in order for the living elements of the aquarium’s landscape to flourish.

Fish are still present in many forms of aquarium gardens, including Dutch and Japanese ones, but they are given a supporting role. Users of nutrient-rich soils also include people who raise shrimp in aquariums.

Production and composition of aquasoils

Aquarists had two choices prior to the introduction of branded products: they could use regular soils and do a preliminary mechanical cleaning and disinfection process, or they could add liquid fertilizers to the water on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, the first approach is unable to offer the appropriate degree of hygienic conditions and functional features, and the second approach still prevents aquarium plant roots from acting naturally.

The Japanese were the first to industrialize the production of aquasoil.

Real soil layers taken from fertile areas served as the foundation for nutrient soils, thanks to a natural component.

However, they will need to go through a number of processing steps in order to become aquasoils with high performance characteristics.

When it comes to ADA soils, which are fortunately abundant in Japan, they are mined directly on the islands. Because the northern regions are less populated and have infrastructure that does not impede production, production occurs there. Additionally, ADA adds soil from tropical forest regions, which explains why Aqua Soil is so expensive.

• After the soil masses are delivered to production, they pass through several sorting sieves. At the first stage, large pieces that cannot be crushed are rejected, and at the end, a more uniform mass is obtained in terms of dispersion.
• Next, the earth mass is fired in a furnace. The temperature reaches 400 degrees Celsius. During this procedure, any pathogenic microbes and other microorganisms that may have remained in the soil die. Repeated calcination occurs at 200 degrees.

• By this time, the composition is granulated, the particles acquire a rounded shape, as if sintering inside – this will provide them with mechanical resistance.
• In order to make the soil more stable and cohesive, various plastic clays are used, for example, bentonite. Sometimes volcanic soils are used, of which there are enough in Japan itself. To improve the properties that promote plant growth, additional substances can be introduced into the composition of aquasoils.

Humates	Humic acid salts accelerate the growth of plants under water and on land due to the conditioning and detoxification of the soil
Lignite	Parts of fossil plants, turned into brown coal under pressure, disinfect the water
Diatomite	A mineral from the shells of diatoms. a natural antiseptic and conditioner, it adsorbs liquid fertilizers well.

Aquasoils provide nutrients and support for aquatic plants, which is necessary for a healthy aquarium environment. These carefully crafted substrates offer a rich base for robust plant growth and support the preservation of water quality. You can maintain a sustainable and well-balanced environment for your fish and plants in your aquarium while also improving its overall appearance with the correct aquasoil selection.

Features of nutrient soils

Aquasoils’ primary purpose is to provide long-term nutrient supply to aquatic plants. The roots extract elements from the granules and loosen them during growth. Aquasoils naturally undergo this process, which means that the granules eventually break down into powder and must be replaced at specific intervals.

Our goal is to fully saturate the soils with organic matter and microelements. We constantly struggle with the issue of maintaining the water’s transparency. Nutrients from only the root systems of underwater plants can be extracted from our products thanks to firing and specialized processing technology. Water does not cause the compounds to dissolve or mix with them. This indicates that there isn’t any food for the tiny algae that coat the aquarium’s walls in a green layer, the water doesn’t get murky, and you can still enjoy the view of the underwater scenery.

The best manufacturers of aquasoils

It so happened that the Japanese company ADA was the one to introduce the first nutrient soils to the market.

The concept of mixing specially treated nutrient soil masses with plasticizing additives and providing the required quantity of acids and microelements was not novel, but this company’s products have long since established themselves as the industry standard.It is therefore not shocking that it is given more attention and is ranked first.

ADA

All nutrient soils started going by the brand name of this manufacturer’s goods. On the market, their cost is fairly substantial. Since a large aquarium needs a large volume of nutrient substrate, buying this product comes with a high cost for many aquascapers. But ADA Aqua Soil is more than just a substrate for aquariums.

Its long-term operation while maintaining relative integrity is the primary benefit among its many positive attributes. Furthermore, resourceful hobbyists have devised ingenious methods to "extend the life" of aquasoil from ADA that has been partially utilized.

I can use ADA Aqua Soil for two or three years with ease, if other soils only last for a year and a half. In addition, over the course of my involvement in aquarium design, I have developed a number of concepts for extending the useful life of this soil mixture. This is how I go about it: I purchase biohumus and apply it to the aquarium’s bottom in a thin layer with a loading thickness of roughly one centimeter. To avoid contaminating the water, I place dried-out old aquasoil on top. In this manner, the nutrient supply is replenished and the structure is maintained.

One important feature of ADA AQUA soil nutrients is that they make water softer and more acidic by lowering its pH. This provides the best possible habitat for aquatic plants.

As a result, weekly top-ups of water are permitted in these soils, both for water supply and purified using the reverse osmosis scheme, albeit with greater rigidity. The right balance is established in the aquarium as a result of the soil’s acidity neutralizing the alkaline surroundings.

Water water	Amazonia	Amazonia 2	African	Malaya
PH	7.6	6.8	6.4	5.9	5.5
KH	2	-Alexandra Shabanova St. Petersburg, experience in aquarium for more than 7 years

JBL

Different types of soil are produced by digging. A line of professional watercaping supplies called Proscape was introduced. It comes in two varieties: shrimp soil for shrimp breeding and plant soil for crops.

Both kinds of soil lower total and carbonate hardness and acidify water. The distinction is that plant soil has an abundance of microelements and nutrients to promote healthier plant growth.

Additionally, the company manufactures a substrate called Volcano Mineral that contains granulate volcanic rock and loosens the substrate to help aquarium plants root more easily.

The formula (l * h * w) / 1000 = V can be used to determine the necessary amount of JBL soil.

• l is the length
• h is the height of the aquarium in centimeters
• w is the width
• V is the volume of soil in liters.

This nutrient-rich soil’s mechanical resistance is a major benefit. It doesn’t break down and keeps its original shape after about a year of use.

Although it has shifted to the first few hours after the aquarium was placed on the soil, the effect of water softening and acidification is still there.

I used JBL ProScape Volcano Mineral substrate plus an additional 60 grams of powder per aquarium, JBL Florapol with a focus on iron in the composition, and aquasoils for a year. Plant JBL ProScape As a base, use brown soil. replacement through osmosis alone. Water is heavily acidified for the first three months, after which it becomes less so. Since the effect of acidification decreased and did not surpass the tap’s hardness, I actually only needed to pour osmosis. The soil, incidentally, is incredibly light but strong; it keeps its shape entirely.

Fluval

Since they don’t quite reach the professional level, fluval soils are positioned as a product for advanced amateurs and are more reasonably priced than ADA.

The granulate has a pleasant texture and comes in a dark gray or gray-brown color range; there is no color variation.

The production process uses standard technologies, such as twice firing a mixture of fertile soil.

Reviews from users indicate that aquariums on Fluval soil only last two years before needing to be restarted.

High-quality filtration and fertilization are necessary for water because the soil mixture’s natural acidification of the water may eventually cease.

Various soils were tested. In my opinion, fluval is not as nutrient-dense as ADA, even though plant growth is stable when using it—especially initially. Pros: It’s reasonably priced when compared to well-known competitors; cons: I stopped feeling the effects of decreasing the alkaline balance in less than a year. Therefore, before adding, the water needs to be softened. Here’s what I did observe, though: when fertilizers and microelements are added, the soil absorbs them and progressively releases them to the plants; this leaves little for the algae, allowing for fewer replacements.

Tropica

A Danish business that specializes in neutral substrate and nutrient-rich aquarium soil. In Russia, the substrate is more well-liked and the manufacturer is only beginning to gain traction.

On the other hand, aquarists who purchase their aquasoil from sintered volcanic soil that has undergone firing notice the high nutrient characteristics of the soil, such as the dense structure, good neutralization of alkaline indicators of water, and granule size of 2 to 3 mm.

Since the Aquarium Soil version contains all the nutrients needed and can absorb liquid fertilizers, it can be used without a substrate and gradually release nutrients to the plant roots.

Refilling the aquarium with fresh water is essential when using Tropica Soil for the first time. Twice a week for 30–40% of the total volume is the ideal mode. This mode should be kept in place for approximately three weeks, as potassium is actively entering during this time. The replacement can be carried out once a week or even less frequently once the aquarium ecosystem has stabilized.

One of the most important components of a healthy aquarium environment is aquasoils. They improve the general health and appearance of your tank by giving aquatic plants vital nutrients and a firm base. The quality of the aquasoil you choose can have a big impact on how well your plants grow and how colorful your aquarium looks.

Think about things like particle size, nutrient content, and how the aquasoil will fit in with your aquarium setup when choosing one. Because every variety of aquasoil has different qualities, it’s critical to match them to the demands of your plants and fish. Making the appropriate decision will help your plants and aquatic life thrive by establishing a more organic and balanced environment.

In conclusion, anyone wishing to upgrade their aquarium would be wise to invest in high-quality aquasoils. They have many advantages, such as promoting plant health and improving the aesthetics of the tank. You can have a lovely and prosperous business by choosing the best option for your setup and comprehending their role.

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