Planning on redoing my tank with Aquasoil. Does anyone think it's necessary to use the additives recommended namely Tourmaline BC, Bacter 100 and clear super?
I feel that if I'm doing EI then all I really should need is the quality clay substrate, is this correct?
Also should I add anything else to the aquasoil at time of setup? Thought I'd use some mulm from the old setup that's all.
cheers
chris

I do not think Tourmaline can make any claim that it does anything.............
Super clear, well Alum is dirt cheap.........about 5lb that would last you a lifetime or two. Nothing wrong with adding any of this stuff, but it does not help nor do these wild claims, point is, you just do not need it to have a nice ADA like tank.
Will it help?

I challenge anyone to devise a method that would reasonably should that it does indeed help. It's up there with heating cables if not worse.

If some good scaper tells you to buy and add something, many believe them without question.........

Sure as heck does not mean it does anything, it maybe the ADA AS and nothing else.
Without testing it, folks do not know, but if you do some background research on what is in them and why they may or may not work, then you will be a lot more skeptical.

Why would anyone need to add bacteria toa new planted tanks?
What do folks think are on the plants and all over the roots?
Bacteria and fungi.

If you need to remove NH4, use zeolite till the rest of bacterai get going, or do water changes, adding that stuff is not going to help, adding mulm is fresh living bacteria that can add the needed critters.

I know ADA is mainly marketing here, not providing you with items you really need, perhaps some think it's helpful, but I have not seen one thing to date that suggest it does, I have the products and know what is in them. I've seen nothing significant vs not using them.

I've set up 14 tanks with ADA soil so far, 4 the full routine.
Had all the same issues over the first few months.



Regards,
Tom Barr

Thanks Tom
That's pretty much what I thought. Just checking...

What are the issues over the first months that you experience?

Thanks in advance