New Start Up - & Finally Soil...

Ok, I am almost there. This is my first aquarium and as explained I am having an aquascape base (wood, stones and plants - are selected). I have read the benefits of having soil and this is my first choice. Looks like the ADA Aqua Soil has a good reputation.

My question though relates to the look, I was looking at something a little lighter in colour than their range, would you think substrate + gravel, as much of a compromise to the soil and the benefits you get from soil alone?

I'm planting in the next week or so, this is my final decision.

regards Simon

If you have decided on the ADA Aqua Soil then you won't be able to mix it with anything really.  If you're carpeting the aquarium then the substrate won't be visible from the top after around 12 weeks anyway (hopefully).

However, if you're not carpeting the whole tank with plants and will have areas of substrate visible for aesthetic reasons then don't use the substrate there.  Partition the soil from the gravel area using either plastic separators or polystyrene.  Put the chosen gravel on the partition and up to the roots of the plants.  You may need to touch this up after a while.  Carpeting plants will have a harder time growing there if at all.  Do a bit of weeding if necessary. 

Like painting a picture aquascaping is all about composition so to get the best results takes some additional work.

ADA specialise in plant growth and the fish come second.  If you're going for plant perfection you'll need CO2 as well.  Personally I'd use the Tropica Plant Growth Substrate and use a layer of my chosen gravel/sand as per the substrate instructions.  It's more of a compromise between fish and plant but if you choose plants with low light and low CO2 requirement you'll still get a stunning result.

If you're using large rocks put some polystyrene under them too to spread pressure on bottom of the aquarium.  Putting a little dent in the polystyrene to sit the rock in will allow stability if you want to place the rock at a none horizontal line.

Take a look at this picture.  This tank won the AGA aquascaping competition in 2013.  When I first saw it it blew my mind.

Just be aware that over a period of a couple of years aquasoil will turn back to clay, loosening its structure (it is essentially a baked clay).

Something else to consider would be something along the lines of Tetra Initial Sticks which, like Tropica Plant Substrate, is designed to go below or within a substrate of something more inert such as gravel.  I personally plan to use these below sand when I rescape my tank.

Another substratew which will supposedly take up nutrients from the water column is Caribsea Eco Complete, though it can't complete with Tropica on price point.

You should look for gravel of no larger than 2-3mm to ensure you are able to get you plants rooting effectively.  This is not a requirement as such, just a top tip