Soil is a very important element in the arrangement of the underwater kingdom. With its help the aquarium acquires an individuality. Due to soil mixtures plants grow, grow, absorbing the remaining nutrients. The quality of this product largely depends not only on the appearance of the aquarium, but also on the nature of the habitat, the condition of its inhabitants. Our rating is created for those who are interested in the qualitative arrangement of the aquarium. In the review, you will find out which of the manufacturers of the products were the leaders, and what ground mixtures are considered the best. Here you will get a number of valuable tips for choosing a suitable mixture. Forward for a quality soil for your own water kingdom!
Contents:
- Soil primer for the aquarium of which company to choose
- Best ground mixtures for standard aquariums
- Best soils for aquariums with abundant flora
- Best soils for pseudo-aquarium
- What soil for an aquarium to buy
Soil for an aquarium of which firm to choose
This rating suggests the bestground mixtures for aquariums. The products were selected on the basis of their qualitative composition. The choice of a particular soil depends, first of all, on the type of aquarium and its inhabitants.
Among the most popular and proven manufacturers were few.
We arrange the companies in descending order of their popularity on the Russian market:
1. Tetra
2. Azoo
3. Hagen
4. JBL Sansibar
The consumer evaluation of the named manufacturers is approximately on the same level. Companies specialize in the production of soils aimed at ensuring active growth of plants, purification of the aquatic environment, maintaining the proper pH level. Products are divided into natural mixtures, neutral, artificial and nutritious. We managed to distinguish 5 best compositions.
Best ground mixtures for standard aquariums
This product category is a natural product. It can be small stone, volcanic sand, gravel, pebbles, etc. It is an empty mixture, excluding any nutrient impurities. If such a material is used as a plant growth stimulant, then the expected effect should be expected no earlier than six months later. The process starts only after the accumulation in the mixture of the right amount of nutrients resulting from the decomposition of waste.
For standard aquariums also treated natural soil. For example, clay, clay soil. Such a soil is called empty neutral. In this case, additional fertilizers are used to stimulate the growth of the inhabitants of the aquarium.
The most budgetary and simple option - sand and gravel
It's about the most popular soil, which is perfect for a reservoir populated by unpretentious inhabitants. This mixture is optimal in the case of almost all varieties of fish and plants.
The product is the best substrate for useful microorganisms, it perfectly copes with the biological function. Sand particles reach a maximum of 2 mm, gravel - 5 mm. Approximately equal particle size provides a lower percentage of soil caking. Preference should be given to the rounded stones, because sharp pebbles can injure the inhabitants of the aquarium. One not very pleasant nuance: plants in such a soil mixture will not grow actively - it will take time to silt it or additional fertilizers.
Note a number of key advantages of this mixture:
- excellent circulation;
- neutrality to the chemical nature of water;
- performance of biological function;
- is easy to clean the tank.
Among the shortcomings it is worthwhile to dwell on:
- impossibility of use in case of buried in the ground inhabitants;
- lack of nutrients.
Most of the buyers were satisfied with such a primer. Consumers consider this variant of the mixture to be the simplest and economical.
The most natural look of the aquarium will give the treated natural soil
The ground of baked clay is considered to be the most neutral and natural. The rounded surface ensures the safety of fish. Porosity is an excellent condition for reproduction of bacteria vital for plants. Expanded clay is a natural absorbent that can purify water from excess fertilizers and waste, preventing the reproduction of algae. A primer of this type does not cake.
From the advantages of the ground mixture should be distinguished:
- excellent circulation;
- natural appearance;
- chemical neutrality;
- performance of biological function;
- destruction of surpluses of organic substances and fertilizers;
- smooth surface;
- porous structure;
- convenience of cleaning the aquarium.
As cons of the product were:
- lack of nutritional components;
- lightness( some large plants need a deep fit).
Such a soil mixture has received excellent user feedback. Especially she liked the consumer for a natural brown color.
The best soils for aquariums with abundant flora
This category of product includes all kinds of nutrient mixtures and substrates. Their presence in the aquarium eliminates the need for additional fertilizers. Such soils are suitable for all representatives of the flora. The mixture is added to the ground at the time of justification of the new aquarium, and is also used to improve the composition of old tanks.
The product provides active, healthy plant growth, promotes the rooting of the inhabitants of the reservoir as soon as possible, and transports nutrients to their root system. The described ground mixtures are the guarantor of not only excellent circulation of water, but also greater, in comparison with the traditional gravel, water permeability. As the best soils for aquariums with a large number of "green" inhabitants, two mixtures emerged.
Power Sand Special M( ADA) - the best option for Dutch or nano-aquarium
The product has proven itself as a nutrient substrate for aquariums. In the composition of the soil, peat, fertilizers of mineral origin, porous elements and useful microorganisms.
The use of the mixture guarantees a qualitative biological cleaning of the aquarium. In addition, the nutrient substrate plays the role of a growth stimulator for the representatives of the flora that inhabit the reservoir. The period of the soil is quite long. The product is also indicated for use in shrimp, since Power Sand Special M( ADA) is also a decent feed base for these organisms.
Note the main advantages of the mixture:
- providing a good nutritional basis for beneficial bacteria;
- guarantee of excellent circulation in the aquarium;
- stimulation of plant growth and development;
- ensuring favorable conditions for the reproduction of representatives of the flora;
- possibility of application in shrimp.
As a lack of primer of this brand:
- cost - it is somewhat overstated, in comparison with similar products.
The general opinion of buyers about a nutritious mix positive. Many consumers are ready to purchase cheap soil for the sake of its obvious quality characteristics.
DeponitMix( Dennerle) - the best mixture for plant growth stimulation
This is a soil containing a huge amount of active substances of mineral and organic origin. Such a nutrient substrate will become an indispensable stimulator of plant growth. Typically, this product is used in combination with neutral soils. The mixture contains high-speed substances in the form of granules, as well as impurities of prolonged action. In addition to those mentioned, Deponite contains porous elements and living beneficial microorganisms.
The product must be accompanied by an instruction for its use, which prescribes the doses and the order of application of the soil. Often, in the case of Deponite, it becomes necessary to use a thermal cable to improve the circulation of water in the reservoir.
We highlight a number of the main advantages of the product:
- providing biological activity of beneficial microorganisms;
- stimulating the growth of flora;
- "inhibition" of the growth and development of algae in the aquarium.
As minuses of the mixture,
- was used exclusively in combination with neutral soil species;
- the possibility of souring lower ground levels.
Most buyers liked the ground. Users consider the product an excellent example of the optimal correlation between price and quality.
Best soils for pseudo-aquarium
Cichlidia are representatives of the natural world of Malawi and Tanganyika, who prefer coral crumbs as a soil. This same material will be an ideal option for a pseudo marine aquarium. The mixture has a porous structure, whereby it can be a substrate. This substance is often used as a filler for the aquarium filter. Most often for tanks with fish use a crumb of white color.
The product is environmentally friendly, does not pose a threat to the health of the inhabitants. The material can be used throughout the life of the aquarium. Before placing it on the bottom, the crumb is washed from the dust under running water. Actually, it is the traditional coral crumb that will conclude our rating.
Coral crumb - the best primer for cichlids
One of the most beautiful decorative elements of pseudo marine aquariums. White coral crumbs look great in any water landscape. In addition to its attractiveness, the soil is characterized by clearly increased chemical activity. It is for this reason that the composition can not be used in all types of aquariums - coral chips increase the water hardness index. In this case, the buyer often has a choice between crumb and quartz chips. The last option is not quite a beautiful gray shade. The described soil can be either a fine or a larger fraction.
Let's dwell on the obvious advantages of the product:
- attractive appearance;
- rounded particle shape - will not harm fish;
- porosity structure.
Among the shortcomings of coral chips:
- tendency to darken the outer layer of soil - it becomes necessary to periodically clean it;
- increase in water hardness - acceptable not for all types of inhabitants.
Most customers consider coral crumbs the best option for their own "marine" aquarium. Many have put the product to the highest quality assessment.
Which primer for the aquarium to buy
1. The traditional option for a standard aquarium is sand and soil. Such a product should be preferred in the case of an acute statement of the financial issue, since such a primer will be the cheapest.
2. If you are striving for a more natural appearance of the aquarium, you should stop on the processed natural ground of brown color. However, in this case, you have to spend money on additional fertilizers for plants.
3. To prepare a Dutch or nano-aquarium, a nutrient substrate is needed. As a proven product, a mixture of Power Sand Special M from the manufacturer ADA.
4. For lovers of lush vegetation in a miniature water kingdom, Dennerle manufactured Deponit( Depot) DeponitMix, which will become an excellent activator of the growth of flora. In the case of such a nutrient base, you can forget about the need to use additional fertilizers for the aquarium.
5. The best choice for cichlidics and pseudo-marine aquariums will be a traditional coral crumb that will not only provide the proper indicator of water hardness, but also give the aquarium an exquisite, natural look.