vreazz Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 .So I'm going to create a new heavily planted RCS tank. What do you guys recommend for the substrate? I've been looking at the Mr Aqua Aquarium Soil (8L) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eclipse Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 ADA amazonia have pretty decent reviews plantwise. With CRS, any substrate will do but it wouldnt hurt asking what people have tried. I tried fluval shrimp strat and theyre okay but they seem to break down faster than others. Im trying benibachi and hopefully its okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Another option... Ista 9l shrimp soil is a active substrate that creates a pH of 5.5 which is ideal for plants, shrimp and fish species that like a lower pH and a KH below 2 in addition also decreasing NH3/NH4 (Ammonia) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Usually the 5.5 ista stuff is best for caridina, for cherrys I would usually suggest the 6.5 version. I mean the 5.5 will work, but really low KH makes it harder to keep old adult cherrys alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRISSY Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 For cherries you don't need a pH buffering soil. I breed selectively bred colour valients (less tough than a standard 'red cherry shrimp') with an inert substrate and they breed like rabbits. How ever, plants would need some sort of soil. And as Donny said, they prefer a slightly higher pH and GH/KH than caridina sp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
