1. "ADA Power Sand contains both slow-release organic nutrients which are decomposed by bacteria into a form absorbable by aquatic plants and fast-release inorganic nutrients that are directly absorbed by aquatic plants to provide nutrients to aquatic plants effectively."

It is unnecessary because with soil alone can provide necessary nutrients that your plants need. You can go with cheaper alternatives like root tabs or osmocote.

Mind to provide any proven root tabs or osmocote link? Prefer from Shopee

I wondered how much nutrient soil has, e.g. Fluval.

Just recently I noticed a type of algae in my tank: Growing on the glass, straight line, and red/brown colour. But could be scraped off easily.

Many people use Fluval stratum. Seems like less than ISTA Premium Soil & ADA. Anyway, should not matter if we dose ferts, with half doses in the beginning then increase to full dose, then increase again when plant mass increases. Even I failed doing this. Haha
Diatom most likely. That's normal. It will gone or reduced once tank stabilize.

Hi All. I have just finish up my setup and are currently 1 week into DSM on my Fluval Flex 57L.



I am using ADA Amazonia normal type substrate with a layer of Seachem Black sand on top. It hit me suddenly that i might have problem with the water flow as the vent to filter media compartment is completely cover by soil. During the setting up I initially thought that water will be able to travel thru the porous soil however I am starting to seeing some issue,



1. Will over time the Amazonia soil will become compact and the space between the soil will no longer be there hence blocking the flow of water?

2. In the event that water does manage to pass thru the soil, it will be constantly leaching amonia into the water that need to constantly travel thru the soil to reach the filter media?

Is this a cause for concern or is it not? If yes perhaps i need to start digging before i flood the tank.

Look forward to some advice from sifu here.

1. Why would you say Power Sand is unnecessary?

2. What is the dosage of Excel each time? Is it working?

power sand is pumice + charcoal + peat moss, ada claims it will oxygenate the soil
unless you have 6 inch+ of soil, then maybe you need it,
but you need dry pumice that float in order not to compact the soil, while the soil holding it down, still allow water to flow in and oxygenate the soil
the cavate is, pumice get wet lose most of its floating force, so many actually disagree with the claims of ada

and it would be hassle to re-scape your tank without disturbing the soil
roots will attach to the pumice and will pull it out

2. What is the dosage of Excel each time? Is it working?

If for combating algae, if I'm not mistaken slightly more than dosage recommended on the bottle.

I just started experimenting with Hydrogen Peroxide 6%. For H2O2 3%, they said do not exceed 3ml per gallon, so for 6% I take it 1.5ml per gallon max. I dose slightly lower which is approx 18ml for 15 gallons. Going to do this 3-4 days. I have red algae (BBA but without the beard) in my tank.

I actually quite curious on Excel when it is supposed to help plant grow. How it kills algae and at the same time provide C to plant?

I'm not really sure. I think when using in higher dosage, it become algaecide. Same thing with copper sulfate.

It has a chemical compound which breakdown the simple plant structure/those with weak plant wall... and release the components ( mainly carbon and H2O) into the water column.

so dosing it will help in reducing algea in some way... say when the algea is in low concentration all over the tank.

if there high concentrated spot of algea... then they recommend spot dosing... high concentration at a localized area- and have the filter off for say 1 hr. Take note this isnt magic bullet- and might need to repeat 2-3 time

because of the way excel works... it will have impact on other simple/soft plants... like moss. but other more sturdy plant will not suffer as much.

we may also take note- Excel does not replace CO2 gas form. it only helps in someway.
so we can expect to have similar result... no way.
it can help low tech plant to grow well... but little help to high tech plant...

In that case, can we increase CO2 injection for the same purpose?
I'm using Excel and find it not really helpful in making the plant stronger. I think plant needs more fert than CO2 in liquid form...

In that case, can we increase CO2 injection for the same purpose?

Yeah, sure. Increasing CO2 injection, nutrients uptake also more efficient & this lead to better plant growth.
EDIT: Just in case I misunderstood you, I actually meant CO2 gas injection, either using pressurized CO2 tank or DIY CO2. CO2 only become liquid under sufficient high atmospheric pressure. So there is no liquid CO2. The product over the counter that labeled as liquid CO2 is misrepresented to say it nicely. It is actually liquid carbon or contain chemical that its byproduct is carbon.

BTW, I dose 18ml of H2O2 6% in 15 gallons tank for two days straight. I changed water last night, two days late, usually I do this on Sunday. I want to clean the glass because I noticed GSA a couple of days ago but last night it's gone. The glass clean. How about that. I have 5 silver flying fox, 3 corydoras & 1 Thailand ghost shrimp, all are alright. I'm out of H2O2 right now, cannot continue spot treatment for red algae.