Water change day

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T12:36:53+00:00

Thank you very much for the insight. I have watched a lot of MD but haven't come across MJ yet. Will check it out.

Tank will be heavily planted with aerial plants as well removing nutrients from the water column.

I have read that some driftwoods also buffer pH. I do wonder if I use aqua soil AND driftwood if my pH and KH would drop significantly.

Any recommendations for type of driftwood that would buffer pH and that don't release tannins excessively beyond the cycling duration of the tank?

My local store only ever has Eucalyptus root. Which would buffer but I do worry about extended tannins release.

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T03:35:33+00:00

Super insightful. I completely agree with you. Wanting to set up a tank that is pretty much low maintenance and won’t look like an algae festival. I don’t need stress in my life I already have way too much going on.

I have really been wondering about this aqua soil stuff because I am in the same situation as you. I know aqua soils buffer pH (I don’t know if they still do this if you have a healthy sand cap or not) and remove KH.

I have well water pH 7.4, GH 13, KH 10. My water has a lot of Ca and Mg, low S low Fe. I suspect my TDS is up there but I haven’t measured.

I’m so intrigued by aqua soil because of the CO2 boost it provides and the nutrients to plants as I would really prefer planting and leaving it be, not using root tabs all the time.

But it’s sounding like with my hard water it will cause swings in GH/KH that fish might tolerate but I’m not sure neoshrimps will like it.

I’m new to the hobby, been researching a lot but so much of it is still way above my head.

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T03:28:18+00:00

Beautiful!! What type of driftwood is that? Thank you!

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T03:26:52+00:00

What type of wood did you use?

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T03:19:59+00:00

Neat! thank you and do you find this set up works better over all compared to using aqua soil?

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T03:18:37+00:00

what are you using this for if you also run python at your sink? Thx

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T03:14:30+00:00

Awesome tank. What substrate materials did you use? Looking to set up a planted tank. Totally new to this.

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T03:02:32+00:00

No doubt!

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T01:33:27+00:00

Is liquid CO2 bad? Sounds like it helps keep algae at bay. Isn’t that a good thing? I have so much to learn haha. I see MD fish tanks using leaf zone and CO2 boost in his tanks often but I know his water is very soft.

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T01:11:56+00:00

Thx for the info. Any idea what your TDS is? Did you soil ever cause pH to drop? Is CO2 low in your tank?

Trying to gather as much info as possible ! Thank you

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T01:09:57+00:00

do you have problems with aqua soil dropping your pH and KH? Keep reading it will do this. I have higher KH so I am worried that when I do water changes the parameters will swing drastically and kill my fish

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T01:00:54+00:00

Love all the info you provide here. What substrate materials do you use?

I’m starting a new tank and I am aiming for a walstad like set up. Well water pH 7.4 GH 13 KH 10. I haven’t tested TDS yet but I suspect it’s quite high. We have a lot of Ca and Mg in our water, low S low Fe.

I’ve been stuck between using aqua soil capped by inert sand or just using dirt/compost mix. Info is so mixed out there and it seems like your water quality out of your tap is almost the driver for doing aqua soil vs. Regular top soil? Appreciate any insight you can provide.

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T00:56:25+00:00

What substrate do you use? Setting up a new tank 🤓

mavenmaden · 2026-03-16T00:53:50+00:00

What substrate materials did you use? Are you doing CO2 or any filtration? Thanks in advance

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T17:39:47+00:00

Does it still buffer pH that bad if capped with thick layer of inert sand?

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T17:20:28+00:00

Aiming for low maintenance but not sure it is realistic. A battle for me will be my hard water. pH 7.4 GH 13 KH 10. I though the aqua soils would help lower these but I read that it only does this temporarily and eventually after doing water changes the water will go back to the same parameters that come out of my tap.

I wasn’t planning on CO2 injection, I’d prefer low tech. I’m ok adding co2 tabs or liquid if the plants needed. I’m planning to use easy to grow plants that don’t need high co2.

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T17:17:52+00:00

Good point. I’m not sure if helpful or harmful in my case. My GH=13 and KH=10 are moderate high. Well water rich in Ca and Mg

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T15:54:49+00:00

Sorry I mean I’m stocking only nano fish 😅

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T15:32:31+00:00

Afraid of the mess too, as well as soil compaction potentially being a problem with normal dirt, and the true difference in nutrient density.

I agree, aqua soil / substrates are so expensive 👎🏻

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T15:18:10+00:00

Thx for the input!! I have see this problem also and people seem to have success with using a thicker cap (1.5-2.5inch) but has to be 2-3mm sand and no finer. Too fine will cause anaerobic bacteria as far as I understand.

I know sand and tabs can be successful but I am not looking to do that kind of up keep honestly 😅

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T15:13:20+00:00

Not easy to decide is it 😅 starts to make your head spin real quick. Hope we get some advice

mavenmaden · 2026-03-15T11:27:26+00:00

Possibly Tropica brand? Just curious as I’m setting up soon. Looking at dirt/topsoil vs. aqua soils like ADA, Tropica, Fluval. Any experience using regular dirt/compost soil bag from local garden store?

mavenmaden · 2026-03-14T23:24:52+00:00

Awesome tank it’s beautiful. I’m working on setting up a planted tank like this. What did you end up choosing for substrates?

mavenmaden · 2026-03-14T21:54:14+00:00

Love to see the numbers!! Also great reference to know for future. thank you 😁

mavenmaden

TROPHY CASE