ADA Amazonia New Substrate - my brief experience so far

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

As some of you may know, I used ADA substrate for the first time in my 220 gal. I purchased the Amazonia 'new' type and wanted to post my experience with it so far. It will be in use for 1 year the end of August this year, so approx 10 months old.

1. I really like the look. It is a very attractive substrate and gets positive comments from all who see it.
2. It does produce a large dust cloud based on how much uprooting you are doing. I combine this with large water changes so most is siphoned out.
3. I get good root growth on any species placed in the ADA. So, at least I can say it is not detrimental to it Seriously, it seems to produce better growth than I had with SIMILAR setup using basic flourite.
4. Is easy to work with, always keeping #2 in mind

I can't say much more than that, as I am still working out my gardening skills, so is not fair to fault the substrate. I cannot really give a better impression other than this until I work out my own c02./growth issues lol

That said, I do like it, does not seem to cause any issues whatsoever. Is it overpriced? Most likely but am glad I got it and the experiece so far in working with it is positive.

Just to counter some of the scary web stories re: ADA new type.

Later

[Gilles]

Check out my thread for my 'hate' story against the new amazonia. It is totally useless in scape tanks. The cloudiness (even if you uproot just a little) is a nightmare.
p.s. even though emptying my tank, and rinsing the entire 80 liters i have took out most of the dust (5 liters!!) it still is cloudy...

[Tom Barr]

If you do the traditional dutch method of uprooting and replanting fresh tops , then it's not that good.
I do this a fair amount in my 120 Gal, but you see the haze factor.

Still, if I leave things alone for a week, the haze is entirely gone and I do water change AFTER the trimming/uprooting generally, I also only do maybe a 5-10% area uprooting.

With Seachem black flourite sand, I can do much more uprooting.

Still, the look and larger grain size is nice and the ADA As will never scratch my glass either.

[aquabillpers]

When I uproot and/or rearrange plants in my tanks, with topsoil under 2mm - 3mm gravel, I run a small HOB filter for about an hour and the little cloudiness disappears.

Bill

[Htomassini]

Due to all of these issues I love the mr aqua stuff. Does not scratch glass like as. Does not cloud a tank when disturbed .. It is true black. Promoted great root structure and can grow blyxia in a non co2 tank at 20 to 25 par and red tiger lotuses.

I sell the flourite for use in the first 1.5 inches unrinsed and top off With the mr aqua. Tom you should really try this stuff some day. They make it in two granule sizes.



Henry tomassini
www.theplantedaquariumstore.com
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[fplata]

Henry, I do not think as will scratch your glass, I think Tom was talking about the fluorite being the culprit for scratching glass.

[Htomassini]

if you get it between a magnet cleaner and your glass it will. (idiot me)

[jcgd]

My experience with ADA AS new and the clouding isn't nearly as bad as you guys describe. I rarely do water changes after uprooting, even moderate amounts because they are usually on the fly when I've been doing some general maintenance and get in the mood. I do notice a dust cloud as I pull plants, but it quickly clears. I don't notice any cloudiness after an hour or so. I like this aspect.

I've also noticed good plant growth but the only issue I see with it is how light weight it is. The stuff is great to plant in when the dirt is wet, but the tank is empty of water. Once you are planting under water it is a major pain. This is my only issue though, besides that I love this stuff and absolutely recommend it.

[Aquadream]

I know this is an old tread, but I recently have the most unbelievable nightmare with New Amazonia that i have purchased last year.
For over two and a half months I can not get the tank stable and to start producing proper plant growth. All plants in my last scape either die off or barely exist.
As last resort to escape this hell I have purchased all ADA ferts and additives, but that did not help either.
After 30 years in this hobby and some good results with aquascapes that did well in IAPLC I am completely beaten by this substrate crap.

Every plant I used was growing well for the first 10 days and then suddenly all goes to hell no matter what.

And just for the record.
The one thing that I have changed in my tank since my last IAPLC2012 #69 scape was the substrate. Everything else is as it always was.

I did use to have some minor issues with Amazonia before, but now I really begin to hate this overpriced crap.

I seriously intend to return to the good old quartz gravel with which I have almost total control of nutrient balance and no stupid surprises of any kind.

[Tom Barr]

I know this is an old tread, but I recently have the most unbelievable nightmare with New Amazonia that i have purchased last year.
For over two and a half months I can not get the tank stable and to start producing proper plant growth. All plants in my last scape either die off or barely exist.
As last resort to escape this hell I have purchased all ADA ferts and additives, but that did not help either.
After 30 years in this hobby and some good results with aquascapes that did well in IAPLC I am completely beaten by this substrate crap.

Every plant I used was growing well for the first 10 days and then suddenly all goes to hell no matter what.

And just for the record.
The one thing that I have changed in my tank since my last IAPLC2012 #69 scape was the substrate. Everything else is as it always was.

I did use to have some minor issues with Amazonia before, but now I really begin to hate this overpriced crap.

I seriously intend to return to the good old quartz gravel with which I have almost total control of nutrient balance and no stupid surprises of any kind.

I've torn down larger tanks due to some issues, mostly cloudy water, fish disturbing it etc, but I've heard a few examples/cases like yours.
CO2 mist seems to keep the cloudiness issue going on and on.
Removing that took care of many issues.

Rescaping larger tanks, finding ample suppliers/regular supply has been issue for several folks, myself included.

I am looking at the UP AQUA brand as I've had good experience with it.