Tropica Aquarium Soil
Also sold as Tropica Aquarium Soil Powder · Tropica Aqua Soil · Tropica Soil Powder
Synonyms Tropica soil
Tropica Aquarium Soil is an aquasoil with a 1–3 mm grain. 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 | 1–3 mm |
| Brand | Tropica |
| Effect on pH | Lowers pH and KH |
| Ammonia when new | Leaches for the first weeks |
| Shrimp | Suits Caridina |
Before it goes in
- Tropica Aquarium Soil is an aquasoil, 1–3 mm grain.
- 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 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.
- It suits Caridina — the soft, acidic water they need is what it buffers towards.
What kind of substrate is it?
Aquasoil with a 1–3 mm grain, holding some 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 — Tropica Aquarium Soil is a complete substrate on its own.
Will carpeting plants root in it?
Yes. The grain is fine enough for runners to grip.
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
| Tropica Aquarium Soil | Aquario NEO Soil | Dennerle Shrimp King Active Soil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Aquasoil | Aquasoil | Aquasoil |
| Nutrients | Some | Rich | Some |
| pH | Lowers | Lowers | Lowers |
| Grain | 1–3 mm | 1–3 mm | 1–4 mm |
| Leaches ammonia | Yes | Yes | — |