Azalea root is sometimes known as as spider wood when offered for sale. It floats so needs soaking but doesn’t give off tannins or change the pH. It might create a bloom or biofilm/fungal growth but not always. Some sellers bake it before shipping to treat it for use in the aquarium.
It’s an attractive golden brown colour, and as the nickname of spider wood suggests, it’s quite a tangly looking wood. This makes it a visually interesting addition, as well as offering hiding places for smaller fish.
Manzanita wood is a very attractive wood with many twisted branches that adds beauty and character to your planted aquarium. Great for tying moss and plants on to create an eye catching look. Manzanita wood will not stain your water or alter the PH levels.
A very natural looking wood perfect for aquascaping. It has a dark brown colour, but does not leech any tannin. It also sinks easily, meaning you can add this wood to your aquarium straight away without soaking.
Redmoor wood is a very attractive wood with a tree root like appearance. Great for tying moss and plants on to create an eye catching look.
Ohko, also called Dragon Stone, is an argillaceous rock that does not influence the water hardness, and whose holey structure and warm earthen tones make it an eye-catcher for your aquascape that gives it a very natural impression.
This is one of the original complete substrates and has been around for many years. It made from porous clay gravel and is particularly rich in Iron but also contains some other trace elements, as well as Magnesium and Potassium. The texture is quite sharp so may be unsuitable for fish with sensitive barbels i.e. Corydorus. The brown/red colouration may not suit all tastes. Grain size is around 2-5mm. It can be mixed with plain gravels for less expense.
Pros
- Nutrient-rich in Iron and other important elements
- Proven track record with lots of planted tank owners
- Does not affect water chemistry
- Can be mixed with plain gravels
Cons
- Sharp textures may not suit some fish
Aqua Soil is a very well known product amongst planted tank and aquascaping enthusiasts, despite being stocked by relatively few outlets. It is held in the highest regard by most that have used it, myself included. The grain size, colour and textures are ideal for plant growth consisting of near-black rounded granules measuring around 1mm for the Powder type to 3mm for the regular variety. Where this product differs from the others is in its incredible nutrient-rich properties. It is so rich in fact that it leeches ammonia/ammonium in the first couple of weeks of installation. For this reason it is important that no livestock are added until ammonia and nitrite levels are undetectable. I actually like this aspect, as it will assist in the fishless cycling process if a new filter is installed and it gives a period of time where you can fiddle about with your aquascape without stressing your fish. Aqua Soil also lowers pH and hardness, making it suitable for most fish and plants. Aqua Soil is designed to be used in conjunction with ADA Power Sand and other additives, but it is still an excellent product on its own resulting in great plant growth. It is good value too being less expensive than the equivalent Seachem and Red Sea products. The Powder variety is great for nano tanks and plants with tiny or delicate root structures.
ADA Aqua Soil is the original Nature Aquarium substrate AquaSoil is available in 3 varieties;
Amazonia
- Dark brown-black colour of the Amazonian Rain Forest.
- Available in: Amazonia 3l, Amazonia 9l, Amazonia Powder Type 3l and Amazonia Powder Type 9l
Africana
- Red-brown colour of the African rain forest, which can provide a stunning contrast against the green plants.
- Relatively hard granules which are easy to handle, and ensure very clear water.
- Available in: Africana 3l, Africana 9l, Africana Powder Type 3l and Africana Powder Type 9l
Malaya
- Ocher colour of the natural substrate in South East Asia.
- Ideal for aquarium layouts that are designed to last for a long period.
- Available in: Malaya 3l, Malaya 9l, Malaya Powder Type 3l and Malaya Powder Type 9l
ADA also offer each variety in a Powder Type which has additional benefits:
- Ideal for nano/small aquariums as it creates a greater sense of scale
- Ideal for carpeting plants
Grain size 0.25-7mm
Contains Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sulfer plus over 25 other elements to nourish your aquatic plants.
Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate contains all the mineral nutrients needed for luxuriant aquatic plant growth without nuisance algae!
The Eco-Complete is Iron rich which eliminates the need for laterite and is also Nitrate and carbonate free which will not increase pH or carbonate hardness.
There is no artificial dye, paint or chemical coating because it`s real! The Eco-Complete also contains live Heterotrophic Bacteria to rapidly convert fish waste into natural food for your aquatic plants.
The Eco-Complete also creates a natural biological balance which makes cycling in a new aquarium faster and safer. With it`s unsurpassed MacroPorosity for healthy roots and bacterial efficieny – you would have to buy 4 bags of ordinary gravel to equal the surface are of this one bag of Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium.
These natural rocks are the perfect décor to create the most amazing aquascapes. This versatile rock will help provide suitable cover and hiding places for all of your fish, along with adding that ‘extra dimension’ to any aquarium.
Safe to use in all types of Tropical and Coldwater aquaria. Each rock is uniquely individual and sold per kg. Safe to use in all types of Tropical and Coldwater aquaria.
