julianzh Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 On the product website, it said lower gh, is that true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted November 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 On the product website, it said lower gh, is that true? Not sure about it. I do 25% water change weekly, so pretty hard to tell. I can monitor the TDS though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebirdie Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hi...newbie here and I have a question about the Brightwell substrate. I have ordered some for a tank I want to put some caridina of some kind in. I have only kept neos thus far. So...do I just use this like I would eco complete? Not cycling, etc. like ADA? It sounds like some of you just put it in the tank, put in your remineralized water and then the shrimp. I wondered if you did a regular fishless cycle on the tank? I am sure I missed something in the post but just wanted to make sure I used it correctly. I tried ADA without knowing I needed to cycle the soil first and what a mess! One other question....I have a tank was cycled but I really thought it was too crowded with plants and needed some free substrate area so when I did my major water change before adding my shrimp I did a little redecoration that ended up being major as I had to reattach moss, etc to driftwood. The tank went into a mini cycle and is back on track today. NOW to get to the question....do I need to change out the water again with my RO/DI remineralized water (which is already in there having gone through mini cycle) before adding my Bloody Marys or can I just add them when I am sure the cycle is mature? I have eco complete in there and would like to lower the pH a tad...what would you suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r45t4m4n Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 any new tank/new substrate will need to cycle. You need to get the bacteria colonized in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted December 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Hi...newbie here and I have a question about the Brightwell substrate. I have ordered some for a tank I want to put some caridina of some kind in. I have only kept neos thus far. So...do I just use this like I would eco complete? Not cycling, etc. like ADA? It sounds like some of you just put it in the tank, put in your remineralized water and then the shrimp. I wondered if you did a regular fishless cycle on the tank? I am sure I missed something in the post but just wanted to make sure I used it correctly. I tried ADA without knowing I needed to cycle the soil first and what a mess! One other question....I have a tank was cycled but I really thought it was too crowded with plants and needed some free substrate area so when I did my major water change before adding my shrimp I did a little redecoration that ended up being major as I had to reattach moss, etc to driftwood. The tank went into a mini cycle and is back on track today. NOW to get to the question....do I need to change out the water again with my RO/DI remineralized water (which is already in there having gone through mini cycle) before adding my Bloody Marys or can I just add them when I am sure the cycle is mature? I have eco complete in there and would like to lower the pH a tad...what would you suggest? You really don't need buffer type soil for caridina or neos. Are you talking about bee shrimp? You don't need cycle the substrate as it doesn't leach any ammonia. but you still need to cycle your filters which takes a month minimum. for Bloody Marys, again, you don't need buffer type soil. it prefers pH>7 environment. I keep mine in pH 7.5, GH 8 water. Bloody Mary doesn't do well in acidic water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebirdie Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 No...keeping Bee shrimp in tank with Brightwell. I keep neos with inactive substrate. Sorry...didn't make that clear. I'm setting up a new tank for caridinas using the Brightwell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglefowl Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 I just got them from Dr. Foster and Smith site on Black Friday for $34/15lb bag...never try it before but I'm glad I bought it. Looks very promising and can be a good replacement for ADA Aquasoil...even for plants or shrimps. I wonder if I can use the fine version under neath and the extra-fine on top...just like normal and powder type of ADA Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy12484 Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 I just set up a tank with brightwell so far i really like it over ada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h4n Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 So far same here, I like it better for shrimps. I'm going do a planted tank just with it and compare also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbarbee54 Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Well I will let u know on control soil shortly I am going To be setting up a tank tomorrow with it Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk h4n 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roborep1 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Used this today. No rinse made me happy. This pic is after filling. I splashed water right over the moss. I wasn't gentle. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbarbee54 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 What soil is that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 I have a bag of the brightwell. i'm looking forward to using it. the Medium grain size is slightly larger than aqua soil. seems to be more a constant shape also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roborep1 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 What soil is thatThe brightwell XF Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbarbee54 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 I am thinking of doing some hybrid setups. Like drl mixed with amazonia. Amazonia and brightwell. Keep the tried and true and use some of the new stuff. I am in the processes of resting all my smaller tanks now that I moved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayphly Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I set up a 10g with brightwell xf and have to say the water is soooo much clearer than ada. I just hope the buffering holds up for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julianzh Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 What's the different between cafe and escuro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglefowl Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I think it's just the color. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Yeah its just the color the escuro is a darker brown the cafe is like coffee hence the cafe name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roborep1 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I set up a 10g with brightwell xf and have to say the water is soooo much clearer than ada. I just hope the buffering holds up for a long time. Proof here = Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk mayphly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roborep1 Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Two days in and I can report that the substrate has not lowered PH. I have zero kH and my tap pH is 7.3 As a disclaimer, I am cycling the tank and there is 4ppm ammonia in there. I suppose this could be raising pH. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julianzh Posted December 28, 2014 Report Share Posted December 28, 2014 It said lower gh, how much will it low in a week or two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elo500 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Any updates on brightwell or controsoil? Everyone still happy with either one? Anyone using UG wiith them, any issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasshalffull Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I'm happy with the brightwell I know on the website it says to Not to use an ugf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheShrimporium Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 I'm happy so far. It is slightly softer(breaks easier) than UPAQUA Aqua Sand. PH staying steady at 6.1 using RO and SS GH+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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