it looks like its going to be a mail order for my new 75g tank substrate, which one should i go with? is ADA soil too much work, i heard there are some issues with amonia and water clarity? can some one tell me what should i do if i go with ada? do i need any special filter?
thanks

IMO and IME, flourite works well for a lot of applications, looks good, and is readily available. A bit dusty I admit, but I have used red and black for several years and have not had any issues.

The new black varieties are especially very nice looking, but I have an older black. I think Tom is using the black for one of his tanks???

Have never used ADA personally, so cannot advise, but I know it has been discussed on many threads.

You would likely not be disappointed with either choice.

AS:
More nutrient rich so if you're sometimes less than consistent with ferts, AS provides a 'buffer' against that variation.

It is also reported to provide slighly better plant growth, and is surely easier to plant in because of its shape and lighter weight.

Light weight has disadvantage: virtually any modest water disturbance (e.g., refilling the thank with strainer too close to substrate) will blow it around. Some report more cloudiness from particulates, especially when you move things around, but in most cases cloudiness does not last.

Do not be concerned about KH suppresive effects, or ammonia. With initial fast growers, some zeolite, and decent water change schedule, you will be fine.

Flourite:
Solid choice, but not as easy to plant in, not as nutrient loaded. Pre-rinsing essential but not that big of a deal. Its only a big deal if you forget to do it the first time. Good strainer + garden hose.

I have used both. In the end I prefer the flourite because I got tired of "checking" the AS tank to see if sediment cloudiness had cleared after each water change or after doing replanting. Also didn't like AS pieces getting moved around by refill, even though I use a strainer and not at substrate level.

HTH

I think that sums it up pretty well.
If you like to pull plants up a lot, do not use ADA AS.
You can, just be prepared for cloudy water for a bit afterwards.

I just trim and mow first, then do the large water change, sometimes followed by another the next day.

I also try not to pull up too much at once, no more than 1/8th of the tank. With flourite, you do 1/2 the tank without too much issues.

They make a black flourite sand. Man, this stuff is sweet.

Same grain size as onyx, but pretty. I'm using this for Tangy Rift tank with Vals and Pondweeds.

I really think these are the only plant specific sediments I'd use as this point in time.

ADA AS will never scratch glass BTW, flourite can get caught between the pad and glass. So be careful as you do the bottom 1/2 and below. Use single downward strokes and clean the scraper each time.

Take good care and the tank will look great for decades.

Regards,
Tom Barr

thanks for reply evryone, tom ,should i go with flourite sand or normal flourite?
thanks

I am also curious about the Flourite Black SAND.

Is the black Sand to be rinsed, or does grain size preclude this.

I usually rinse the bejesus out of Flourite (standard grain gravel)

I set up a 10 gallon tank with Flourite Black Sand. I added the lower layer with no washing at all. Then I lightly rinsed the Flourite for the top layer (about an inch) and added it. When I filled the tank I was careful not to pour water directly onto the substrate. Very, very little cloudiness, and it cleared up completely in a day. This was exactly a month ago, and the tank, non-CO2 method, is doing well now. No algae, very slow plant growth.

am about to order, should i go black flourite, or flourite sand?

Hani,

Up to you. Sand has smaller grain size. Both work well. Depends on which one YOU like the looks of better.

I know that their website has some pics of the different sizes.......

Good luck!

The sand is really nice personally.
If you plan on a higher Bio load, the normal Black would be better

Regards,
Tom Barr