notpacifically Posted April 8, 2018 Report Share Posted April 8, 2018 Hey I have a tank that has ada soil which might be nearing the end of it's life. are there any suggestions on what to do to keep the colony healthy? would it bring issues to the tank? right now I run co2 and have fluval peat moss pellets in the filter to help with PH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILikeAsianBooty Posted April 8, 2018 Report Share Posted April 8, 2018 change out the substrate? change half the substrate by cycling the substrate in a tub with cycled media or use a substrate that doesnt leach much ammonia such as sl aqua or controlsoil....gl matey ps:what are you keeping in that tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyzazz Posted April 9, 2018 Report Share Posted April 9, 2018 18 hours ago, ILikeAsianBooty said: change out the substrate? change half the substrate by cycling the substrate in a tub with cycled media or use a substrate that doesnt leach much ammonia such as sl aqua or controlsoil....gl matey ps:what are you keeping in that tank? Agreed, carefully remove and then add substrate. Brightwell, Controsoil, Fluval Stratum and Akadama don't leech ammonia. Be careful with Akadama though, it can suck up minerals for a while. You can also reuse the exhausted substrate in a Neo tank if you have any. (Or send it to me, I have 2 more I'm setting up!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy6107 Posted April 9, 2018 Report Share Posted April 9, 2018 I am in the process of making some mesh baskets specifically for this purpose so that you dont have to tear down the whole tank. I'll post them when I finish the next one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimp Life Posted April 10, 2018 Report Share Posted April 10, 2018 Well you have a few options here. You can convert it to a Neocaridina or Fish tank when it stops buffering... you can start a new separate tank and then transfer your shrimp over to the other/new setup. I find that it would be very hard to move substrate thats that old without causing some water quality issues that will affect the shrimp... Maybe someone who has DONE it with success can recommend it. rwong2k 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy6107 Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 On 4/9/2018 at 11:01 AM, chappy6107 said: I am in the process of making some mesh baskets specifically for this purpose so that you dont have to tear down the whole tank. I'll post them when I finish the next one. This is what I was talking about. It allows more access to the substrate within vs. a bowl or cup. Vinn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyzazz Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 6 hours ago, chappy6107 said: This is what I was talking about. It allows more access to the substrate within vs. a bowl or cup. Very nice, you'll have to let us all know how it works out for you! On a side note, I've also heard of folks putting active substrate in a canister filter and using inert substrate in the tank. If you're using a canister or HOB filter that may be an option for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy6107 Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 2 hours ago, wyzazz said: Very nice, you'll have to let us all know how it works out for you! On a side note, I've also heard of folks putting active substrate in a canister filter and using inert substrate in the tank. If you're using a canister or HOB filter that may be an option for you. I dont keep any caridina species so I doubt I will use it much. I just figured I could make them for shrimpers needing an easy way to swap out active substrates. This one is the length of the side of a 10 gallon tank and holds ~2 1/2 cups of substrate or ~36 cu inches. 9"x2"x2". they can be made a bit longer, much taller, and wider to accommodate more substrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyzazz Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 I may have to think about making some for the 40 Breeders I just got. I could put them right up against the Matten Filters. Or maybe just utilize them after the substrate is exhausted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy6107 Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 12 minutes ago, wyzazz said: I may have to think about making some for the 40 Breeders I just got. I could put them right up against the Matten Filters. Or maybe just utilize them after the substrate is exhausted. they would blend in pretty good with the matten filters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyzazz Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 Just now, chappy6107 said: they would blend in pretty good with the matten filters And while probably not needed, would also become part of the biological filtration of the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy6107 Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 1 minute ago, wyzazz said: And while probably not needed, would also become part of the biological filtration of the tank. for sure. substrate plays a role in biological filtration in all of our tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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