Akadama has a very good CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) value which means that it will pull out of the water any cations, eg Mg++, Ca++, K+, etc and hold onto these making them available for the plant's roots. The Akadama works similar to a cation exchange resin used in domestic water systems for softening water except rather than exchange magnesium and calcium for sodium ions, it exchanges magnesium, calcium, etc for hydrogen ions. The exchanged hydrogen ions then react with any bicarbonates in the water causing the KH and pH to drop. Also due to magnesium and calcium being held by the Akadama the GH will drop as well. After a period of time and a few water changes the water parameters will settle down.

nice...
unfortunately akadama soil not available in Msia yet...plus the akadama soil actually not cheap
widely used as bonsai soil...

plus this is part of ADA wabi-kusa base secret

yup, i did rinsed for a few times for the medias supplied, maybe that still not enough, need intensive rinse i think...

another 1 noob question, can we use filtered or RO water for our tank as my tap water supply was so bad condition..so rusty and brownish...

o0o0o0o0... no wonder my shrimp dissappear... i always keep on topup with tap water... how to control the gh kh then?

thanks sifoo ciohbu... already read that site b4 but still havent get the test kit yet... huhu~ yes my tank is 2 feet (low tech) with 2213

my co2 indicator is green yellowish

in the morning the green is darker

so i increase my co2 up to point b4 my fish pengsan ?

dun think it's dirty filter coz i juz dump in a new 2213 last week

i did not rinse the media too...so far ok no cloudy water as someone experienced

There are many causes and reasons cited for the presence and spread of this algae in the tank, and I would not like to go into the details of these causes. I would just like to mention here that nutrient imbalance and improper ( excess ) lighting are  the main cause of this algae .

Treatment:
Oxygen: Can be successfully treated with a syringe of hydrogen peroxide. Overdosing peroxide will harm/kill your fish so I recommend no more than 1 ml of peroxide per 5 gallon. It works well but can’t be considered as an efficient treatment.

Co2: It’s been noticed that red algae are especially troubling in waters with plentiful CO2. Increase levels slowly to 30ppm will help lot. Try to keep Co2 levels as stable as possible.
Overdosing Flourish Excel can be used as an alternative to CO2.

Fish: Few fish will eat red algae. Siamese Algae Eaters and the American Flag Fish are known to eat it. Please let me know if you know other fish that eats Black Brush Algae.

Nutrients: In planted aquarium, the best way to eliminate Black Brush Algae is to let the plants out-compete the algae for the nutrients. Balanced nutrient levels, stable Co2 and enough light for plants growth are a must.
In non planted aquarium, regular water changes will help reducing nutrient levels

snail right? hmm.. i also don't know.. hahaha... i only notice that they will snatch my shrimp's food and lay a lot of eggs.. ahahaha... maybe can help to clear algae and leftover fish food loh..

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Added on December 13, 2011, 3:20 pm
hmm.. i don't think they will eat small snail.. they eat fish food or algae...

i tot nerite is zebra snail ? the one in ur photo looks like horn snail. nerite leave unsighty white eggs all over the tank and difficult to remove ?

refill 2kg co2 at klang rm35.. change the empty tank with full tank. no need to wait. i wonder if i can find this type of shop at JB..

jalan kapar..

I think Taman Sg Besi cheaper. Syarikat City Corporation. I think RM10 for below 5kg tank. refill done in 5 min. 

what leaf is that? is that a food for shrimp?

yes
started running on 16 dec, with 2ft tank, yeats CO2, 55watt lighting, HOB filter (360L/H)
added a tiger bard for water cycle purpose on next day
(I heard it quicken the speed to start a new tank)
get about 10 pcs ghost shrimp (those use for feeding) on 19 dec

everything was fine

until 3 days later, i took out the tiger bard and add 16 tetra in (8 cardinal tetra, 8 black neon)

and I start lost 1 or 2 of them everyday
first was black neon, until the number of black neon down to 5

It is cardinal tetra's turn
there is only 3 cardinal tetra left now

another thing that I wonder..... they often swim like /\/
go up up and swim strait for like 1cm and "zoooom" down
is this normal? because i don't see those in LFS do this

thanks a lot as u guys enlighten me.

by the way, can any1 explain to me the function of lily pipe? nearly 2 feet tank..i see the hose (green) v ugly. my tank is crystal clear type, n in a sudden, can see the green hose from the back attached with the green batang (inflow & outflow).

1. i wana to know the functions of lily pipe.
2. if i buy, is it sell seperate for inflow and outflow or it comes together?
3. my canister is Taiyo CF1200. how to buy as i knw there is size for it.

Please enlighten me dai lou and sifu's in here.

Many thanks.

it improve the areation n helps to remove the thin oil on the surface in additional to have a aesthethic look to your tank

it come in a pair (inlet n outlet) + spring brush + suction cup (commonly)

it come in a few size, check your hose size