Adding "pockets" of Aquasoil for some plants, cycle problems?

rich815

Guru Class Expert
Jun 26, 2008
112
1
16
61
Albany, California
I currently have a 4-5" substrate of red flourite on the bottom and Soil Mater Select on top. It's working quite well overall. I picked up a 9 liter bag of ADA Aquasoil (Amazonia I - normal size) with the idea of perhaps creating little "pockets" of Aquasoil in the substrate to plant such plants as Tonina who might appreciate or need it's attributes. I've read that Aquasoil generally needs some cycling time due to leaching of ammonia. By doing what I'm thinking in such small quantities of a 72 gal tank cause any ammonia spikes and issues? (I know this is a "lazy" way to add Aquasoil for certain plants but I'm simply not going to rip apart the tank and re-do the substrate right now, nor want to incur the cost of replacing it all with Aquasoil)
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
Lifetime Member
Sep 23, 2007
5,623
22
38
South Florida
Hi,

I think it will be fine to have some pockets around....like plant tablets only more permanent.

I think you may get a spike based on the amount you use.

You can easily counteract this with a bi-weekly 50-60 WC for the next 2-4 weeks after adding it to be sure. Don't forget to dose EI after each WC.

Let us know.

Hope this helps.