Seachem vs ADA

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Junior Poster
May 11, 2005
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Hi Tom,
I have a 200lt (about 50gal) tank, I have for substrate the Ada Power Sand and Ada Aqua Soil.

I like to try the Seachem products; what do you think about substrate ADA and Seachem chemical producys ??

Thanks

Giancarlo Fimiani ..... from Italy (sorry for my bad english)
 

baruch mor

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Jan 23, 2005
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Re: Seachem vs ADA

both products are great . i preffer the ada more then the seachem though
 

Tom Barr

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Re: Seachem vs ADA

A few things come into play.
Cost is the largest.

Flourite might be far more there than ADA.

Over all, flourite is fairly inert, it has plenty of Ca and Fe.
It weights more, making planting easier.
Onyx has more Ca/Mg, and is finer grain, like sand.

I add mulm and peat or leonardite to these two substrates.

ADA is a 2 layer mix, these invariably mix over time. Power Sand has macro nutrients, NH4 etc in it. The Aqua soils are like Flora base, 1/2 baked clay.

These are much lighter than Onyx/flourite and crumble in your hand.
They will turn mushy over time, but some light vacuuming like you do to remove mulm will address that.

Powersand loses it's nutrients after a couple of months so both flourite and powersand are onm equal terms there.

Some folks do not move their plants around or rearrange every so often, most folks do, some are careful when they do move things/replant, some are not.

You can add things to any substrate to add nutrients/peat/mulm etc.

I just know I end up mixing anything with 2 layers, and having it look tacky after I replant a tank or redo it after a 1-2 or more years, decide on a different scape etc etc.

Peat & mulm do not matter there.

Both grow plants well and both depend heavily on the water column later.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

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May 11, 2005
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Re: Seachem vs ADA

Tom Barr said:
Both grow plants well and both depend heavily on the water column later.

Regards,
Tom Barr


Thanks Tom
I decide for ADA Power Sand + ADA Aqua Soil Africana.

I look that the PH and GH/KH values decrease very much. For how many days the GH/KH decrease ??

Can I add for many days chemical products for increase KH/GH ??

Thanks


Giancarlo
 

Tom Barr

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Re: Seachem vs ADA

I'd just do water changes for awhile, the lowering of the pH/GH/Kh is from peat/soil based organic carbon. That will wear out after about 1-2 months.
Large water changes will make things stable.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

srozell

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Jan 24, 2005
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Re: Seachem vs ADA

Tom Barr said:
I add mulm and peat or leonardite to these two substrates.

How do you Add peat or leonardite to the substrates? Mix it it, or bury it with the Onyx sand?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of peat over leonardite?
 

Tom Barr

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Re: Seachem vs ADA

You mix in the bottom 1/2" layer.

Peat can be messy if pulled up, leonardite last longer but works slower and is dark grey like Onyx and is heavier. Peat is cheap and easy to get.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

srozell

Guru Class Expert
Jan 24, 2005
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Re: Seachem vs ADA

Tom Barr said:
You mix in the bottom 1/2" layer.

Peat can be messy if pulled up, leonardite last longer but works slower and is dark grey like Onyx and is heavier. Peat is cheap and easy to get.

Regards,
Tom Barr

So the bottom half of the substrate would be 50% peat and 50% onyx, and the top half would be 100% onyx?
 

Laith

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Jan 24, 2005
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Re: Seachem vs ADA

From what I understand, you need very little peat. A 1/4" layer (half of 50/50 1/2" mix) would be alot of peat.

I haven't used peat yet but will in my next tank. The amounts I've always heard was to just sprinkle some on the bottom glass but not enough to completely cover it...
 

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May 11, 2005
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Re: Seachem vs ADA

Hi Tom,
when do you think, abuot start the fertilizer program (with Seachem products).
I have start the tank about 10 days ago, we are put after 2 days the plants (fast growt and slow growt).

What do you think about quantities of Seachem products ??

Thank

Best regards

Giancarlo