Here is an overview about soils which are often used in shrimp tanks. Be aware that the pH-adjusting capacity depends on the hardness (KH and GH) of your tap water. The soil will lose effect after some months. Most tanks are cycling between 12 and 24 month with active soil.
| Soil Name | Manufactorer or Distributor | adjusts water parameter | target pH | color |
| Akadama | Double Line Brand | yes | 6,5-7,0 | warm brown |
| Amazonia I | ADA | yes | 6,5 | black |
| Amazonia II | ADA | yes | 5,5,-6,5 | black |
| Ferti Soil | Aquatic Nature | yes | 6,0-7,0 | dark grey |
| Water Plant Sand (green) | GeX | yes | 6,5-6,7 | dark grey |
| Shrimp Sand (red) | GeX | yes | 6,0-6,5 | dark grey |
| Manado | JBL | no | nn | red brown |
| Nano Garnelenkies Sulawesi | Dennerle | no | nn | black |
| Nano Garnelenkies Borneo | Dennerle | no | nn | dark brown |
| Nature Soil | Oliver Knott |
yes | 6,8-7,0 | black, brown |
| Red Bee Sand | Shirakura (Hirose) |
yes | 5,8-6,8 | dark grey |
| Magic Soil | Riki | yes | 5,8-6,8 | red brown |
| Shrimp Soil | aquamoos | yes | 6,3-6,8 | dark grey |
| Volcamia D | Hirose | yes | 6,3-6,8 | dark brown |
| Volcamia G | Hirose | yes | 7,0-7,4 | dark grey |
| Waterplant Soil | aquamoos | yes | 6,2-6,9 | dark grey, warm brown |
Popularity: 34%
Hi,
So what soil do you use in your tanks?
Regards
David
I use mostly Akadama in my breeding tanks which run approx. 12 months and have only moss as plants. I guess that almost every soil listed will do a fine job if used in the right way. The only gravel I have tested and will not use anymore are JBL Manado and Shirakura Red Bee Sand. I have had problems with fouling sand, too, and now prefer a bigger grain size (> 4mm) in general. That’s recommendable in combination with undergravel filters anyway.
Thanks Imke!
I am planning to use an under-gravel filter with Akadama, what grain size would you recommend? 1-5mm or 5-10mm?
Liebe Grüße
David
Imke, have you tried Azoo Plant Bed? I’m curious as to how shrimp do with it and its effects on the water.
No, I haven’t tried but it sounds good and worth testing! Is it a OEM product from China?
I’m still searching for info on it right now. One person said it was made at the same place that ADA Aquasoil is made at. The US shop that carries them says it’s a Japanese soil substrate and that the grains are smaller than ADA AS. Overall, it’s supposed to be very close to ADA AS in nutrients and water buffering capability. I’ll see if I can find more info, I’m thinking about getting a bag to test out.
Another question: Does Akadama break down/lose it’s pH buffering capability over time? I also want to try an Akadama tank, especially for Tiger Shrimp. Please let me know, thanks!
Yes, Akadama does – like other active soils doe, too. That’s why some breeders use a very high amount of gravel (10-15cm) and do water changes with adjusted or pure osmosis water.
