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| New ADA spring washers in stock for cleaning
glass pipes. Also 3 ltr Amazonia type II Powder substrate |
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Planning your ADA style Aquarium
1.
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The first layer of a planted aquarium
substrate consists of POWER SAND. It is composed of granules of
porous volcanic rock, nutrients and peat.
POWER SAND has
three fundamental functions:
. Ensures a good circulation of
water through the substrate.
. Carries oxygen to plant
roots.
. Provides the ideal conditions for bacterial
activity.
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2.
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The
fertilizing substrate materials are made of natural soils rich
in macro-nutrients and trace elements.
There are four
formulations: the most fertile is AMAZONIA,
AMAZONIA Type II
for alkaline or hard water sources, then followed by MALAYA
and AFRICANA.
. They don't need to be rinsed.
. They
don't need to be siphoned.
. As they reduce the hardness of
water and acidify it significantly, we recommend reverse osmosis
or de-ionized water. The hardness of water is variable but we advise
maintaining values of 3-4 KH and 6-8 GH.
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3.
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In aquariums in which
the substrate has completely lost its fertilizing power (after
around 24 months, depending on plants species and quantities),
or in aquariums having an inert substrate (SAND SERIES), it is
fundamental to use fertilizing sticks or root tabs, which constantly provide
nutrients by releasing themselves slowly.
There are two
formulations of ADA sticks: IRON BOTTOM which is made of
macro-nutrients covered with trace elements, in particular iron,
and MULTI BOTTOM made of macro-nutrients covered with trace
elements, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum and boron.
Use: insert the sticks deeply into the substrate next to the
roots (2-3 cm or 1" from the plant).
One stick is enough for a surface
of 15 x 15 cm (6 sq.inches).
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Preparing The Substrate
1.
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Distribute evenly 1-2 cm
(1/2" to 3/4") of POWER SAND on the bottom glass of the tank.
One 2 ltr bag
covers a surface of 40 x 40 cm (15 sq.inches).
Note: POWER SAND SPECIAL
contains BACTER 100 and CLEAR SUPER.
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2.
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Spread BACTER 100 on the above-mentioned
layer.
Dosage: two teaspoons per each 40 x 40 cm (15
sq.inches) of surface.
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3.
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In order to optimize bacterial colonization
in the substrate and remove the excess nitrogenous material, we
recommend using CLEAR SUPER.
Dosage: two teaspoons per each
40 x 40 cm (15 sq.inches) of surface.
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4.
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For a rapid and optimum growth of the root
system, we recommend introducing TOURMALINE BC.
Dosage: two
teaspoons per each 40 x 40 cm (15 sq.inches) of surface.
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5.
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Finally, cover it all with AQUA SOIL giving a
4-6 cm layer in the front and a 12-15 cm layer at the back. One
9 ltr bag covers 45 x 45cm of surface.
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6.
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If you want to create a simpler layout with
less demanding plants, you can use, instead of AQUA SOIL, the
layout sands SAND SERIES: BRIGHT SAND, RIO NEGRO SAND, SARAWAK
SAND or NILE SAND.
One 8 kg bag of sand bag, well rinsed,
per each 45 x 45 cm of surface.
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7.
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Once the substrate is arranged, one can start
positioning woods and rocks, followed by planting in a few
centimetres of water.
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8.
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It is very important to use tweezers when
planting in order not to disturb the various materials of the
substrate .
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Note: It is best to fill up the tank with
water only after layering in the substrate. To avoid disturbing
the substrate, we recommend using a plastic bag (fish bag) and
letting the water run slowly into the tank.
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Lighting System
A good light radiation, that is to
say with the proper light spectrum, is another essential
and irreplaceable parameter for the realization of an
ADA aquarium. For an aquarium of 90x 45 cm (40-50
gallons) we recommend
to use one Metal Halide with HQI ADA MH 150W; the Metal
Halide (SOLAR I) should be placed about 30-50 cm
(12"-20") from the surface of the
water (depending on the tank size).
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The SOLAR I cone of light
changes according to the distance of the SOLAR I
from the tank. This distance depends on the kind of
layout:
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1.
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At 30cm (12") from the
surface of the water, with a cone of light of 90x60cm
(35"x24"), for
plants with quick metabolism such as Glossostigma,
Riccia, Ludwigia, Rotola, etc...
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2.
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At 40cm (16") from the
surface of the water, with a cone of light of 100x70cm
(39"x27"),
for plants having moderate requirements. We advise to
place heliophilous plants in the centre and short plants
as Eleocharis and E. tenellus by the sides.
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3.
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At 50cm (20") from the
surface of the water, with a cone of light of 110x80cm
(43"x32"),
for plants with low metabolism such as Microsorium,
Bolbitis, Anubias, Cryptcorine, etc...
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We recommend limiting aquarium
lighting to 5-6 hours a day during the first month and
then gradually increasing to 10-12 hours per day.
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Filtration System
The filter capacity (net
Filter Media content) must not be lower than 5% of the tank
volume. The ideal filter should have a volume of 8-10% of the
water in the tank and must be provided with a pump with a
delivery capacity of 8-10 times the aquarium volume.
The maintenance of the filter system
consists in regularly rinsing the filter materials every 2-3
months, without the need to remove them from their bags and/or
containers. Use osmosis water or water from the aquarium itself.
The filter media to use are:
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NA CARBON
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BIO RIO
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BAMBOO CHARCOAL
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PALM NET
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BIO CUBE
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TURMALINE F
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These materials must be set
in the following order from the inflow to the outflow of
the filter:
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1.
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BIO
CUBE: a synthetic
sponge to automatically remove the largest particles
drawn by the pump.
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2.
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BAMBOO
CHARCOAL: a type of
inert carbon, with a very large surface area for the
best bacterial colonization.
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3.
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BIO RIO
is made of small
grains of pumice stone, one of the most porous minerals
in nature.
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4.
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TURMALINE F: a
semi-precious mineral with the property of releasing
important metals useful to plants and neutralizing
harmful electromagnetic waves mostly generated by the
filter pump.
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5.
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NA
CARBON a quality
activated carbon for chemical filtration that removes
many polluting substances, such as colouring agents,
medicines, heavy metals and proteins. It is most
important to place it in the filter as soon as it become
operative (aquarium layout stage). NA CARBON loses its
absorbing capability after about two weeks. Once it is
exhausted, it doesn't release any element and goes on
performing a biological filtration action.
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6.
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PALM
NET: husk of hemp
palm to be inserted through the different layers of
filter materials to keep them separated. It also acts as
a mechanical and chemical filter reducing pH and
hardness in water. The maintenance of the filter system
consists in regularly rinsing the filter materials every
2-3 months, without the need to remove them from their
bags and/or containers. Use osmosis water or water from
the aquarium itself.
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