I don't dare to comment on 3feet..

It purely depends on scape lo.. If iwagumi style.. needs more slope = more soil lol.

My 3feeter used 2 bags of 9L normal.. and 3/4 bag of 9L powder type.. and 1 Power sand Special M...

So you agak agak count the price la.

Drew

@fongzai
These are the ADA soils price- i think
9L normal = Rm 88
9L powder= RM 14x
power sand M special = Rm 16x

kinda forgot the pricing already lol

Drew

I heard this saying before..

ADA soil is like a very sharp surgical knife.. if you know what you're doing .. it saves lives! If you don't know what you're doing, you may end up killing the patient XD

I did grow a tank before.. using holland sand and base ferts.. It was less maintenance.. but growth was comparatively .. slower..( but algae was out of reach)

Drew

@ blinded

BAck in Aquafair Sale.. it was rm 200 for the MINI M tank. and RM 9xx for the Lighting fixture.. it is now HIGHER .

@fongzai
when I say "know what you're doing" I MEANT.
- Proper fertilizing levels
- good self discipline on maintenance (water change, trimming, scraping algae off)
- Proper lighting given to tank
- Proper fish added to help curb algae etc. etc.
- Proper methods and or chemicals used..
- Proper filtration .
- Proper chemistry in the water(ammonia, nitrogen cycle etc etc)

Let's just say I have seen many people accusing people(Namely accusing me, when recommending then to use ADA soil..) - that's why now I don't really dare to simply recommend. - some people are more suited with the gravel method.(less maintenance)

It goes something like that...
" You told me that by using this expensive ADA soil, I can grow anything.. but why do I always get algae ? "

So to know that the soil isn't ALL that is needed to have a healthy planted tank.

My simple reply is this::
" You did grow algae right? LOL "

JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION. NO OFFENCE MEANT TO ANY/EITHER PARTY.

Drew

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Added on August 28, 2009, 2:56 pmAlso let's say,
Initially the tank looks nice with the rocks, wood, newly aquired plants and etc etc...

But further down the road.. in 2~3 months or so.. if no proper care is given to the tank.. it might end up crashing.. (therefore, killing the patient)

Drew

This post has been edited by chuppy2: Aug 28 2009, 05:53 PM

@ blinded.

how about this option?


I did this for my MINI M. just as fancy but almost half price of the ADA counterpart..

Drew

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Added on August 29, 2009, 9:43 am

This post has been edited by chuppy2: Aug 29 2009, 09:43 AM

can you find such a small t5ho? lol..

I use 18w PLL x 2..(36w)

@HCTH
Aquafair is an event which happens every 2 years.. the latest one was in november last year.. the next one should be next year

Drew

Not so sure about those blinded..

@ adrian
You would never see a video of me teaching as I am not qualified enough to teach yet! just advising >=D

Drew

Yes I have a small aluminium tank as well .. I doubt it'll last long for a 3feeter

It's 'top' brand i think.. not sure of its same as ista or not..

Drew

My XXX tank is 3 weeks old..

TO answer your question.. so far.. 3 weeks old

Drew

they love u pinchy lol..

@ catacombs.

Go buy 500mg <removed> for your rcs guarantee they do till they die hahaa

Drew

That was a joke

Drew

Catacombs,

next time. either pull them out verryy veerryy slowly.. or just trim right down below the soil.. less mess.

@ tenchi,

Why post shrimp porn here? hahaha Nice anyways


Drew

This post has been edited by chuppy2: Sep 5 2009, 05:37 PM

Too SImple
Too little rocks
Needs a better(maybe slightly bigger) Main rock
Needs more supporting rocks
and well, It's too RIGHT smack IN THE MIDDLE haha.. Read up on golden section

I like those lights.. what are the wattage?

Drew

I wouldn't use SAND by the SEA if I were you... those fellas spike up your pH.. ( they're not exactly err.. made for planted use you see )

@blinded,
An Improvement.. but just not there yet.. and those little guys could light 24w? its good.

Drew

@ fongzai.. why? cos they want nutrients from the soil that's why lol..

I've got a problem guys.. Glossos are growing WAY TOO FAST hahaha


Drew

@fongzhai

ADA soil

Rm 88 per 9L soil..

for 'powder' type.. its rm 1XX

Drew

Nope I don't add black water...

ADA soil is different from those base fertilizers where you need to layer with gravel.. most books now still teach you to do this.. Im guessing one layer sand in the bottom.. the nurtient rich base soil/fertilizer in the middle.. and top up with sand again? It's a traditional method.. Still practiced by some today..

not to be confused with ADA soil.. it is a Nutrient Infused soil so you don't have to worry about all those sand + soil + sand layering method.. ( and this does not to be as thick as most base fertilizer based +holland sand tank does)

THOUGH :: not to be confused again..
ADA has it's line of products.. namely the powersand as well.. these are to be put BELOW the ADA SOIL to promote better plant root health and bacteria colony and the tank overall in general..
These fellas are a bit more expensive than the standard soils...

BUT you do NOT NEED to buy their full range of products to be successful.. I've seen many nice tanks without powersand

Hope this helps.
Drew

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Added on September 7, 2009, 1:14 amA good example we have here in malaysia as a Nutrient-based style of soil/sand is
JBL Pro Flora... ( it comes in a bucket if I'm not wrong.. )

Also there are many other Nutrient infused soils here in the Malaysia market..

Grandmaster being the
ADA soils

next comes
Niso soils
GEX soils
Dr. Soil.
Nirox soil
Shrimp soils etc etc.. - too many..

Be wary that when we say "SOIL" and "SAND".. 2 different things

Drew

This post has been edited by chuppy2: Sep 7 2009, 01:14 AM

Yes, for me .. I'm using ADA's Brighty K and Step 1.. they might cost you a bit

Dose NPK ( nitrogen, Phosphate, pottasium ).. these are basic few needs

Price of glosso may range from rm 10 to rm 30 ... ( I've seen some LFS selling rm 30 for a patch..)

Drew

ADA fertilizers.. the 500ml ones would cost you rm 90 (market price) per bottle..

::Info ::
Brighty K is pottasium..
I'm too lazy to check what Step 1 contains for now.. will get back to you about that.. but thats all I dosed for my tank and it's all growing without problems.

Lightings::
1feet.. I would light up 30~50w ( this is high light...) It may just do fine with 20+w also... it depends what you wanna grow..
3feet on the other hand.. Mine is lighted with 300w... but You could get away with it with just 200w or so ( for high lighting)

But minimal I believe is 150w for 3feeter... ( note that we need at least 2~6 wpg.. that's the range. )

@ catacombs
I think that may be the cause, and water temperature as well.. 300w for my 3feeter.. plus calculations and etc= It's around 5.6watts Per gallon already haha..

and i think the low temperatures may also play a part..

Drew

Definitely some effect haha..

Anyhows, when you use MH.. there's always another factor to worry about. Temperature. If you use fan.. the evaporation would be max-ed out! so usually the better choice is chiller lol..

Drew