How to unlock the magic of APT Feast.
No, APT Feast does not need to be rinsed before use. However, we recommend large water changes (70-90%) for the first 1-3 weeks to remove excess ammonia and volatile organic compounds. Any cloudiness or discolouration of the water will disappear natu
You can cover the Aquasoil for aesthetic reasons, but plants root best in pure Aquasoil. Plant roots work by contact with the soil and any additional layer of separation that reduces root to substrate contact will reduce the effectiveness of the soil
This depends on the type of plant you are growing. Smaller carpet plants can grow with as little as one inch of substrate. Larger plants such as large sword plants or taller stems can have large root zones many inches deep. 3cm / 1.2" is sufficient f
Yes. APT Feast releases a significant amount of ammonia in the first few weeks after submergence. The amount of ammonia released will be highest in the first few days and will decrease to low levels after a few weeks. We recommend large water changes
There are two ways to go around using the aquasoil. The fast start:. This is for people who need to plant as soon as they submerge the soil. >70% water changes every other day for the first 2 weeks. This intensive water change schedule removes excess
You can add easier species, but delicate/difficult species should be added after the tank has matured (in 2 or 3 weeks). Freshly submerged aquasoil is unstable and releases ammonia and other volatile substances. This environment is harsh on plants -
Fish are best introduced when the aquarium is biologically mature. Fresh aquasoils release ammonia and other volatile substances. It will take a few weeks for the tank's microbial biology to mature and for the filters to process organic waste efficie
Yes, we keep shrimps in all our tanks with APT Feast.
Aquasoils absorb KH due to their peat content. The acidic substrate is preferred by most aquatic plant species. Aquasoil will also slightly soften the water (lowering both KH and pH), which is beneficial to plants and animals from soft water habitats
No. Softer (low KH) water is a more desirable environment for the majority of plants and animals. The microbial mix of acidic environments will favour microbes that function well in such environments, with archaea rather than bacteria dominating the
Not for the first 6-12 months. APT FEAST has enough nutrients to last for a long time without additional enrichment. The tank below is an example at the 1 year mark with no additional root fertilisation since day one.
Aquatic plants take up nutrients from both their leaves and roots. Relying solely on substrate feeding will deplete the substrate more quickly, and water column fertilisation allows plants to bypass root zone problems, such as when plants are newly p
APT FEAST is designed to last for years. It does not need to be replaced. The grains break down very slowly and the nutrients in the grains are used up over a long period of time. However, Aquasoil must be maintained over the long term to maximise it
You can stack Aquasoil as deep as you like. The large spore spacing between the grains and the low sulphur content of Aquasoil prevent overly anaerobic conditions from becoming a problem. We have many tanks with 8 - 12 inch thick substrate in the bac
No, trapped air will dissolve on its own and air bubbles in Aquasoil are not inherently harmful to the aquarium. There is absolutely no need to poke the Aquasoil to release air bubbles. Most air pockets will disappear on their own over time. The larg
Removing surface detritus is helpful, as excess organic matter triggers algae growth. For those who want a sparkling tank, it is good practice to lightly siphon the surface of the substrate during water changes. This should be done without disturbing
Yes, definitely🙂. Many of our tanks, including the one above, have been set up without a dark start. We recommend a dark start because it takes time for the microbial ecology of an aquarium to establish itself. It is the same reason that farmers lea