comparisons please

[cgm90]

hi guys my lfs is closed today but he sent me a txt saying that he is getting up aqua in next week so i have a choice of up aqua or ada amazonia, any suggestions which way to go??

[jayc]

Between the two mentioned, ADA aquasoil.

[b00f]

Depending on the shrimp you intend to keep aswell.

If you are hardpress between the two, go ADA.

Secondly, decide what shrimp you are intending to see.

Amazonia is fine for cherries, but if you are keeping TB, try and get ya hands on Maylaya.

In the ADA book is shows the pH of the two.

Obviously you can always add fluvic to the mix to bring the pH down.

[torface]

ADA all the way!

[cgm90]

Thanks guys I was leaning more towards ADA as ive never really seen or had anything to do with up aqua but I shall ask and see if he can get maylaya for me

[KiwiBigD]

ADA = HELL YEAH! Absolutely love the stuff and use in all of our tanks bar one which I'm experimenting with the new planted substrate.

I also love Malaya, in the Powdered form but I blend it with equal parts of ADA Amazonian New (powder) as well, both together provide a natural looking environment which I love. Also with Malaya you do not get the ammonia spikes as you do with Amazonian New, behaves quite different by comparison, but hey, the spike only last 4 - 6 weeks which is pretty short in the overall life of a tank.

I've used the Up Aqua and didn't like it, found it broke down quite fast as well by comparison with other brands and having investigated it they only seem to bake at between 600 and 800c as compared with other brands that bake their substrate at anywhere from 1000 through 1500c.

[cgm90]

thankyou very much for that, i am running ada amazonia new in 1 of my tanks at the moment and its great and after the comments of the malaya and a little research i reckon im going to go malaya in the new tank

[b00f]

thankyou very much for that' date=' i am running ada amazonia new in 1 of my tanks at the moment and its great and after the comments of the malaya and a little research i reckon im going to go malaya in the new tank[/quote']

I was doing the same thing.

Tossing up between benibachi, and ADA, and other shrimp sands for 2x 30cm cubes.

The cost of 1x ADA Maylaya Power + 1 ADA power sand was cheaper than the 3 bags of benibachi (2 soil 1 powder) I was going to require, and also end up with a similar pH.

I was a bit hesitant with the colour, but it grew on me almost instantly. Also the fact its a lil more "plant friendly" than the beni and other sands... not to mention the pressure from Adrian :P

What shrimp were you planning on keeping???

[cgm90]

im planning on a bit of everything haha, but im looking at getting into crytals once my 5 foot is built, presently i have cherries, chocolates, rili and ninjas, was also thinking of doing a full native setup as well...

the ada is really good and great for plants, its just annoying my lfs is trying to push up aqua when ive said i want ada malaya

[KiwiBigD]

Can always order from Dean, Adrian or online, all are good options. The substrate is well worth it, especially if you're going planted. Just be aware there will be an ammonia spike when combined with most other substrates, Malaya claims no ammonia when used only on its own.

[jayc]

its just annoying my lfs is trying to push up aqua when ive said i want ada malaya

We have had many people with experiences with Up Aqua substrate.

It works for some people. But it's certainly not as good as ADA or Benibachi.

Don't let them push you into purchasing something you don't want.