julianzh Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Currently, I don't have any kind of substrate except a layer of seachem matrix at the bottom of my tank. I used benibachi fulvic gain to buff the water at 6 to 6.2 ph. The reason it was bottomless was because of a bad substrate I had earlier. For some reason, my shrimps were dying of bacterial infection and I took out everything except the tank water and filter media. The daily dead stopped but since I dont have any more room to cycle/leech my ADA soil, I left it bottomless. Now, I want to add substrate back in but need the one that don't leech ammonia. Also, does substrate or no substrate effect crs/mischilling breeding? Because it's been a year and still no berries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 As far as substrate, I use UP sand and it doesn't leak ammonia. Mine does bring down ph to 5's though, so I use some baking soda to bump it up to the 6's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 As far as substrate, I use UP sand and it doesn't leak ammonia. Mine does bring down ph to 5's though, so I use some baking soda to bump it up to the 6's. Do you use Shrimp Sand or Aqua Sand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 This: Expensive, but I'm going on ...um...2-3 years now (?) including take down, drying in oven, storing for awhile, and setting up again- and it's still working. I'm using remin RO and only 1 bag for a 10g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julianzh Posted November 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Thanks everyone. I'm going to try the up shrimp sand. Since I have Amazon prime haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 look into the controsoil and brightwell soils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I know Brightwell or ControSoil won't leach ammonia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h4n Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 This: Expensive, but I'm going on ...um...2-3 years now (?) including take down, drying in oven, storing for awhile, and setting up again- and it's still working. I'm using remin RO and only 1 bag for a 10g. Its still buffered that long after baking it out and reusing it again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy12484 Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Thats impressive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Its still buffered that long after baking it out and reusing it again? Yepper. h4n 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorfan Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Should have 2 bags of the controsoil arriving today. Going to try it out. ANBU 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 The tank that I am currently cycling I am using the UP Shrimp Sand. I love the look of this sand and it is very hard. One of the best parts is it ships with prime for 20$ bucks great value for the weight considering almost all other substrate includes high shipping cost. I am cycling with hard tap water so the Ph is still high 7.4. This sand doesnt have any built in buffering capability it is more the fact that the granules have an inate Ph of 6.5. So with RO water and remineralizer you end up with a low Ph 6-6.5. But I see this substrate as long lasting which is part of the reason I went with it to avoid substrate resets every year or two. Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slycat929 Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I have 2 tanks set up currently, one with azoo plant grower bed and UP aqua shrimp sand. Neither leech ammonia. I will be setting up a third tank with the bright well soil. So far, I really like the look of the UP aqua. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayMotivated Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I've used UP Aqua shrimp sand and can confirm that it doesn't leech ammonia. You might have to tie down your plants since the slightest the grains are really light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpscales Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 I am thinking about trying the up shrimp sand. Does it also work ok for plants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbarbee54 Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 Any updates on control soil. Or any other new ones? Like the brightwell. Looking for ph buffering levels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasshalffull Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 I can't say anything about controsoil but the brightwell has been holding my ph at 6.2 to 6.4 since June when I set the tank up using ro remineralized water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbarbee54 Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 What bright well one is it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorfan Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 Have my controsoil in the tank and cycling for 3 days now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasshalffull Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 The rio escuro the black one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryboy12484 Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 I just set up a tank with brightwell cafe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatOhCat Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 In Asia we use Advanced Shrimp Soil and they dont leech ammonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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