ADA Africana
Also sold as Africana · Aqua Soil Africana · ADA Aqua Soil Africana
ADA Africana is an aquasoil. It holds some nutrients and pushes pH down, which is what decides whether it suits your plants and your shrimp.
At a glance
| Type | Aquasoil |
|---|---|
| Nutrients | Some |
| Grain | Medium |
| Brand | ADA (Aqua Design Amano) |
| Effect on pH | Lowers pH and KH |
| Shrimp | Fine for both Caridina and Neocaridina |
Before it goes in
- ADA Africana is an aquasoil.
- It is lightly fertilised: root feeders grow in it without root tabs.
- It pulls pH and KH down, which suits soft-water shrimp and most plants. It also works against hardscape that raises hardness — Seiryu Stone and Elephant Skin Stone — so the two partly cancel out.
- It is rough on fish that sift the substrate. Something finer suits German Blue Ram and Julii Cory better.
What kind of substrate is it?
Aquasoil, medium grain, holding some nutrients.
Does it change pH?
Yes, it pulls pH and KH down and holds them there until it is exhausted.
Can I use it on its own?
Yes — ADA Africana is a complete substrate on its own.
What it goes with
- Root feeders that get the most out of it: Cryptocoryne wendtii, Dwarf Hairgrass Mini, Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini' and Alternanthera reineckii.
- Animals that are fine on it: Betta, Cherry Shrimp, Goldfish and Angelfish.
Often compared with
| ADA Africana | ADA Malaya | ADA Amazonia Light | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Aquasoil | Aquasoil | Aquasoil |
| Nutrients | Some | Some | Some |
| pH | Lowers | Lowers | Lowers |
| Grain | Medium | Medium | Medium |