ADA Amazonia
Also sold as Amazonia · Amazonia V2 · Amazonia II · ADA aquasoil · ADA soil · Amazonia Ver.2 · Aqua Soil Amazonia · Amazonia Ver 2 · ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver.2
ADA Amazonia is an aquasoil with a 1–3 mm grain. It holds plenty of nutrients and pushes pH down, which is what decides whether it suits your plants and your shrimp.
At a glance
| Type | Aquasoil |
|---|---|
| Nutrients | Rich |
| Grain | 1–3 mm |
| Brand | ADA (Aqua Design Amano) |
| Effect on pH | Lowers pH and KH |
| Ammonia when new | Leaches for the first weeks |
| Nutrients last | About 18 months |
| Shrimp | Fine for both Caridina and Neocaridina |
Before it goes in
- ADA Amazonia is an aquasoil, 1–3 mm grain.
- It is nutrient-rich: root feeders grow in it without root tabs, for about 18 months before the nutrients run out.
- 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 leaches ammonia for the first weeks. Cycle the tank on it before any shrimp or fish go in — this is the single most common way a new tank on it goes wrong.
- 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 with a 1–3 mm grain, holding plenty of nutrients.
Does it change pH?
Yes, it pulls pH and KH down and holds them there until it is exhausted.
Does it leach ammonia?
Yes, for the first weeks. Cycle the tank on it before any livestock go in.
Can I use it on its own?
Yes — ADA Amazonia is a complete substrate on its own.
Will carpeting plants root in it?
Yes. The grain is fine enough for runners to grip.
How long does it last?
Its nutrients run for about 18 months. After that it still works as a substrate; the plants just live on root tabs and water column dosing.
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 Amazonia | ADA Amazonia Light | ADA Africana | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Aquasoil | Aquasoil | Aquasoil |
| Nutrients | Rich | Some | Some |
| pH | Lowers | Lowers | Lowers |
| Grain | 1–3 mm | Medium | Medium |
| Leaches ammonia | Yes | Yes | — |