ADA Amazonia vs Fluval Stratum

[Steve R.]

I am comparing ADA New Amazonia soil with Fluval Stratum in very similar 20G long tank setups. I intended to compare Amazonia with Controsoil, but Controsoil was not available when I planned the comparison.

I will add plants and rocks and turn the light on after ammonia levels become undetectable.

One interesting initial observation is that nitrate levels were very high in Fluval Stratum tank, but ammonia levels were low, and high ammonia levels in Amazonia tank (as expected) but low Nitrate levels.

 

Day 1 (July, 21, 2015)

1. Install Hamburg Mattenfilter (black 45 PPI foam from swisstropicals) in each tank

2. Use 500 g Fluval Biomax bio rings behind filter in nets.

3. Add 75 Watt submersible heater (Aquatop) set to 26C/80F to promote bacterial growth.

4. Add substrates 8kg/17.6 lbs of Fluval Stratum in right tank and a comparable volume of ADA New Amazonia in the left tank.

5. Slowly ad water (50% RO, 50% tap) containing Aquasafe Plus (Tetra) water conditioner behind filter section. Start 20G Whisper Aqua Pump (Tetra).

6. Take pictures 10 minutes after addition of water to the right tank.

The Amazonia tank was filled before but was more cloudy.

 

 

Day 4 (July, 25, 2015)

Measure water parameters:

 

                        pH        TDS     Nitrate   Nitrite  Ammonia

Amazonia          6.46      160         2         0.4        4

Stratum             6.75      180       30         0.1        0.25

 

Add water from well-washed air filter foam from established tank and small amount of substrate (Amazonia) from established tank to jump-start microorganism communities.

 

Day 7 (July, 27, 2015)

Measure water parameters:

                        TDS     Nitrate    Ammonia

Amazonia          190        4               4

Stratum             200       40              0.2

 

Higher TDS is due to evaporation.

 

- 90% water change in both tanks with remineralized (Salty Shrimp Mineral GH+) RO water

 

Day 10 (July, 30, 2015)

Measure water parameters:

                        pH        TDS     Nitrate   Nitrite  Ammonia

Amazonia          6.2        230       2          0.25     2

Stratum             6.35      180       5          0          0

 

- 90% water change in both Amazonia tank with remineralized (Salty Shrimp Mineral GH+) RO water

- Replaced 20G Whisper Aqua Pump (Tetra) with ActiveAqua Airpunp (AAPA7.8L/3 watt). Water flow is much increased now.

[Shrimple minded]

What was the TDS of your RO/tap mix prior to tank fill (day 0)?

[Steve R.]

What was the TDS of your RO/tap mix prior to tank fill (day 0)?

I did not measure the TDS. But I mixed RO water with tap water approximately 50/50. When I do this the TDS is usually between 160-190.

I will monitor the TDS before the next water changes.

[JamesHe]

Controsoil is available on their own website:

 

http://www.controsoil.com/products.html

[Steve R.]

Thanks, James.

yes. I ordered Controsoil (fine) on Monday and received it yesterday (Saturday). I will set up a 20G (not long) tank with it but will have a different filter system. I will include the results here.

[Ron Kalman]

I know this is been years now, But what happen? Lol besides the other options for substrates Controsoil and Brightwell.

 

Did your test with the ADA and Fluval had any beneficial output did the Fluval Stratum give you a solid PH reading how long did it last and how low did you get the PH with both substrates.

 

I am using Fluval so I interested on the output of this test. All the world is against this substrate and is making me think I should change it. 

 

Thank in advance if you have any information save from this test.