Lyana Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I can crush mine easy, but have had them in a glass of water for 3 days without a issue yet so hoping they hold up in tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I'd like to say that ControSoil is awesome. I had one 20L using ControSoil (Black, X-Fine), setup for 1 week with existing HOB. then I got 6 MK-Breed PRL at SCAPE meeting from Blue Crown (1/25). I have two batches of shrimplet already in short two months. and juvies grow up nicely. and two females berried up second time in one day (release -> molting -> berried). Water is crystal clear, I only use AC50 HOB and one 4" sponge filter from Angelfish plus. It's just awesome substrate. miwu, High5's and colorfan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julianzh Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I'd like to say that ControSoil is awesome. I had one 20L using ControSoil (Black, X-Fine), setup for 1 week with existing HOB. then I got 6 MK-Breed PRL at SCAPE meeting from Blue Crown (1/25). I have two batches of shrimplet already in short two months. and juvies grow up nicely. i and two females berried up second time in one day (release -> molting -> berried). Water is crystal clear, I only use AC50 HOB and one 4" sponge filter from Angelfish plus. It's just awesome substrate. Yea I added into my bare bottom tank and cleared in a day and no death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Bummer, Black X-Fine is sold out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 I thought I saw something that said the black x fine would be restocked by the end of the month. JamesHe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyana Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Fine is pretty small, I think extra fine would be a little too small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Fine is pretty small, I think extra fine would be a little too small. It's perfect for juvies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyana Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 It's perfect for juvies. The extra fine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 The extra fine? Yes, It's popular too, that's why it's out of stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyana Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 I see, well thanks for the info. Hopefully my babies will be fine in the fine grain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Black X-Fine is back in stock, ordered mine today. EricM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 curious what everybody's most popular size is? I've been using the Medium 5mm but plan on switching to the Fine 3mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 curious what everybody's most popular size is? I've been using the Medium 5mm but plan on switching to the Fine 3mm. I don't use UGF, so X-Fine is perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodbigelow Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 So how does this compare to U.P. Aqua Shrimp Sand? Or maybe I should ask what are the pros and cons of each? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 So how does this compare to U.P. Aqua Shrimp Sand? Or maybe I should ask what are the pros and cons of each? Never used U.P sand before. can't comment. But IMHO, ControSoil is much better than ADA AquaSoil Amazonia. if you keep Bee shrimp. Very stable, no leach ammonia. so you don't need to wait to add new shrimp if you have filter cycled already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dendrobatez Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 -How long does it last?- (Edit)Never mind, found the answer in a previous post, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETAquarium Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I just setup two new tanks this weekend, I will be adding to the journals thread soon. I used Ex-Fine Black and Fine-Brown, really like them both, after I filled up the aquariums both tanks were crystal clear.So far I am a big fan. h4n 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I'm one of the few that use UP shrimp sand. I love it. Lasts for a very long time (over a couple years now in my case) and doesn't break down much- even after drying in the oven, storing and reusing. The con is that it costs about $20 per 2kg bag, and does not contain plant nutrients. rodbigelow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Ahh Bryce I have to throw my two cents in about UP Aqua Shrimp Sand. In my experience, it has never buffered at all zero, zilch, nada. I like the way it looks and does not break down but I would never buy it again. I would be curious about trying the Up Aqua Sand for plants which stated by the company says it will lower pH. Shrimp sand does not say it will lower pH on Up Aqua website. Shrimp Sand http://www.up-aqua.com/00-dm-page/up-shrimp%20sand-DM-big.jpg Aqua Soil http://www.up-aqua.com/00-dm-page/00up_dm-aquasoil-big.jpg rodbigelow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 LOL Rye and I always good naturedly duel on this subject when it comes up because we have had different experiences. My Shrimp sand knocks ph down to 5.8ish, but his sand didn't do much. EDIT: I just used my pinpoint to check some of my Neo tanks and they test in the same range. DANG! Rye may be correct after all! LOL Gotta get some testing solution, recalibrate, and do some accurate testing again. *grumble grumble* On the upside, if my water is really that acidic, I may not need buffering substrate at all. RyeGuy411 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I did start a tank last week with Controsoil Black Fine and I love it so far. The size granule is perfect it is super clean and im excited to see how this cycle goes. If what others say is correct im hoping to have my cycle completed by three weeks. Soothing Shrimp and Shrimple minded 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loumeer Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 I did start a tank last week with Controsoil Black Fine and I love it so far. The size granule is perfect it is super clean and im excited to see how this cycle goes. If what others say is correct im hoping to have my cycle completed by three weeks. IF you were to use an old filter that is cycled. Is there a reason one could no just add contrasoil and in 24 hours add shrimp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 IF you were to use an old filter that is cycled. Is there a reason one could no just add contrasoil and in 24 hours add shrimp? Contrary to popular belief the majority of your nitrifying bacteria live in the substrate and not the filter. If you were very lightly stocking your tank its possible that you could do that. I am cycling for TB and pinto and with the price of some these shrimp I would never take that chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 IF you were to use an old filter that is cycled. Is there a reason one could no just add contrasoil and in 24 hours add shrimp? No problem, I did that before without any issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMG Aquatics Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 IF you were to use an old filter that is cycled. Is there a reason one could no just add contrasoil and in 24 hours add shrimp? Make sure to use a accurate pH test. You should not add shrimp after 24 hours. Reason is because you need to do many many flushes to remove excessive nutrients and increase pH. I don't know about you guys but my batch started with a pH around 4.5 and after few months, it's still at 5.1 pH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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