A Q U A F R O N T I E R S srl

Via Leonardo da Vinci, 6

00015 Monterotondo Scalo - Roma
Tel. +39 06 97243004 - Fax +39 06 97243006
www.ada-eu.com / info@ada-eu.com
How making
ADA natural aquarium
02 SUBSTRATE FERTILIZATION

1. The bottom layer of a planted aquarium consists of POWER SAND series, composed of porous
volcanic rock grains, nutrients and peat.

It has three main purposes:

- ensuring the proper water circulation through the substrate
- providing oxygenation to the roots
- creating the ideal conditions for the bacterial
activity

In addition to Power Sand, the other substrate elements are:

BACTER 100 - which improves the water quality and also increases the development
of the bacteria
TOURMALINE BC - which creates the ideal conditions for the roots growth
CLEAR SUPER - which absorbs the excessive organic substances and promotes
the nourishing of the bacteria

2. The fertilizing bottom materials are composed of natural soils rich in macro-nutrients, trace elements and
Considering humic acids. Three types are available: AMAZONIA , the most fertile, followed by MALAYA and AFRICANA.
the hardness - Do not rinse
inconsistent in tap
- Do not suck
water, it is proper to
- They acidify the pH and reduce water hardness greatly, so it is advi-
keep a value between
3-4 KH° and sable to mix tap water with osmosis water
6-8 GH°
W
NE
 SUBSTRATE FERTILIZATION 03

AMAZONIA II lowers pH level more than Amazonia does. So we recommend Amazonia II in case pH value of tap water is very alkaline.
If tap water has high GH and KH values and Amazonia is used, it may happen that organic substances such as the humic acid may seep
into the water, thus causing the water coloring or cloudiness.

3. In layouts where substrates have almost run out their fertilizing power (about 24 months, in accordance with the plants species and
quantity used) or having a barren bottom ( SAND SERIES ), it is essential to use fertilizing sticks which, dissolving slowly, maintain a
gentle and constant supply of nutrients.

Two types of sticks are available: IRON BOTTOM composed of macro-nutrients coated with trace elements mostly iron, and MULTI
BOTTOM, composed of macro-nutrients coated with trace elements such as manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum and boron.
Put the sticks deeply in the substrate and near the roots (about 2-3 cm far from the plant); a stick is sufficient for a surface of
15x15 cm.

Short Long
04 SUBSTRATE PREPARATION

1 Put 1-2 cm of POWER SAND evenly

on the tank glass.
2 Spread BACTER 100 on the layer of
POWER SAND.
A bag of 2 litres covers a surface of 40x40
N.B.: Dosaggio: due dosatori ogni 40 x 40 cm
cm. All the three di superficie.
types of POWER
SAND SPECIAL
contain BACTER
100 and CLEAR

3 It is seasonable to use CLEAR

SUPER to optimize the bacterial activity
SUPER
4 It would be better to use TOURMA-
LINE BC for a quick and optimum deve-
and to remove the excessive nitrogena- lopment of the radical apparatus.
ted substances. Use two scoops for a surface of 40x40
Use two scoops for a surface of 40x40 cm.
cm.

5 At last cover everything with AQUA SOIL substrate thus having

a layer of 4-6 cm at the front and of 12-15 cm at the back.
Use a bag of 9 litres for a surface of 45x45 cm.
 SUBSTRATE PREPARATION 05

6 Instead of AQUA SOIL, if a less demanding layout with not much demanding plants
is set up, the SAND series may be used: BRIGHT SAND, SARAWAK SAND or NILE SAND,
XINGU, ORINOCO or BRANCO.
Use a well rinsed sand bag of 8 kg for a surface of 45x45 cm.

7 Once the substrate is in order, it will be possible to go on disposing rocks and driftwood.
After that, go ahead with the planting which has to be made in few centimetres of water.

8 It is very important to use tweezers to put plants in order not moving the various
materials composing the substrate.

N.B.: The tank can be filled with water only after having set the substrate. To avoid shaking
the substrate, it is advisable to use a small plastic bag (bag for fish) on which water can run
slowly from the hose.
06 LIGHTING

The light emission with its proper lighting spectrum is another irreplaceable and vital factor for the setting of an
ADA layout.

An SOLAR I with HQI MH 150W has to be used for an

aquarium of 90x45 cm: in accordance to the shape of
the layout and the plants species, it will be positioned
SOLAR I at a height of 30 up to 50 cm from the water surface.

There are three possible positions of SOLAR I in a 90x45x45 aquarium (from the water surface):

1 2 3
at a height of 30 cm, SOLAR I at a height of 40 cm, there is a at a height of 50 cm, emits a
produces 90x60 cone of light, for 100x70 cone of light, for aquaria 110x80 cone of light, for aquaria
aquaria with plants having a quick having different needs, putting the light with plants having a slow metabo-
metabolism such as Glossostigma, demanding ones in the middle and on lism such as Microsorium,
Riccia, Ludwigia, Rotala, and so their sides the less demanding ones Bolbitis, Anubias, Cryptocorine,
on; such as Eleocharis and E. tenellus; and so on.
 LIGHTING 07

From the start-up of the layout up to the first month, it would be better to keep a continuous lighting for 5 or 6
hours a day, which will be increased up to 8-10 hours gradually later on.
LUX VALUES
08 FILTRATION

It is fundamental that the filter capacity (that is the net filtering material contained in it) is not lower than 5% of the tank volu-
me. The ideal filter has a volume corresponding to10% of the water in a tank with a pump having a strong head.
The products to be used are:

1 BIO CUBE a synthetic sponge for the 2 BAMBOO CHARCOAL, a particular type
mechanical removal of the largest parti- of inert coal with a very large surface,
cles sucked by the pump. offering an optimum bacteria colonization
for the biological filtration.

3 BIO RIO is composed of small granules 4 TOURMALINE F is an electrostatic mineral

of pumice stone, one of the highest
porous elements found in nature. It is one
of the best media for the biological filtra-
tion.
whose properties are those of releasing
important metals useful to plants and for neu-
tralizing harmful electromagnetic waves cau-
sed by the filter pump and other electric devi-
ces. Use one bag every 150 litres.

5 NA CARBON is a super activated carbon 6 PALM NET is a tropical hemp husk func-
used for chemical filtration. It removes tioning as mechanical and chemical filter
many polluting substances, particularly since it reduces pH and water hardness.
coloring agents, medicines, heavy metals Change it every six months.
and proteins. Its adsorbing capacity lasts
about two weeks; once it is finished, does
not release any element but goes on with
biological filtration.

In order to keep filtration efficient, once a month rinsing the filtering materials is necessary, without removing them
from their bags and/or container and using aquarium water.
 FILTRATION 09

Functions of the filtering products

10 WATER FERTILIZATION

The main products for the fertilization are:

Use three
1 times a week
(1 ml every 20
BRIGHTY K used as a daily fertilizer and water conditioner.
litres)
Use
1 ml every
20 litres 2
STEP series, used in accordance with the
aquarium life period:

STEP 1 from the third or fourth week after the setting

has been made, until the fourth month
STEP 2 from the fourth month until a year
STEP 3 from a year onwards

Use 3 Use
1 ml every ECA is composed of chelate iron and orga-
a drop three
20 litres nic acids. It is essential for a flourishing growth times a week every 20
of the plants which is highlighted by the bright- litres. Such a quantity
ness of their natural colors, particularly in red can be increased using a
plants. drop every 10 litres if the
leaves of plants lose
4 SPECIAL series, used in planted aquaria with
their intensity
(chlorosis).
particular demands.
SPECIAL LIGHTS pis for plants demanding
much light and CO2 and having a fast metabo-
lism Notice that
these products can
(such as Glossostigma elatinoides, Riccia fluitans).
be used in any planted
SPECIAL SHADE is for plants needing a less
aquaria! N.B. In case
intense light and with a slow metabolism of algal proliferation, fer-
(such as Anubias, Bolbitis, Microsorium). tilization has to be
made only with
BRIGHTY K!
 LIQUID SUPPLIERS 11

T !
USE OF SUPPLIERS R TA N GREEN GAIN:
IMPO It is composed of amino acids and
From the moment when the aquarium is set up until the first three weeks, only plant hormones such as the cyto-
BRIGHTY K (1 ml every 20 litres) and GREEN BACTER (1 drop every 20 litres). quinine, a natural extract used for
should be dripped daily. During this period, it is essential to make partial water changes removing stress, cicatrizing the cuts
(30% every 3 or 4 days).After nearly 3 weeks, when nitrites are below 0.2 mg/l, it is important consequent to trimming, and impro-
to put the “algae-eaters” in the aquarium (such as Otocinclus affinis, Epalzeorhincus siamen- ving the immune defence of plants.
sis and Caridina japonica). Once this period is over and if there are no algae, fertilization After trimming, dribble 2 or 3 drops every
may start using ECA and STEP 1. For a right measuring, it is recommendable to 10 litres for 3 days. In order to strengthen
consider carefully the general conditions of plants and the intensity of their coloring. plants, dribble 1 drop every 10 litres
STEP 1 should be dripped up to the fourth month, measuring 1 ml every 20 litres for when water changes are made.
three times a week. ECA should be used with a measuring of 1 drop every 20 litres
for three times a week as well. The same dosage may be used every 10 litres if the PHYTON GIT:
leaves of the plants are particularly faded. It is based on phytoncide, a natural
After the fourth month, you can move from STEP 1 to STEP 2 for a year, and then antibacterial substance produced
fertilizing with STEP 3 can begin. Fertilization with BRIGHTY K should be never stop- by plants to get themselves protec-
ped because potassium is an essential photosynthesis activator. After six months from ted both by algae and by incidental
the setting up of the aquarium, the SPECIAL series fertilizers may also be used toge- pathogenic micro organisms.
ther with those of STEP series. If the aquarium is endowed with plants demanding When water changes are made, dribble 1
much light and having a fast metabolism (such as Glossostigma elatinoides, Riccia flui- drop a week every 10 litres. If used as an
tans), SPECIAL LIGHTS has to be used, dripping 1 ml every 20 litres for three times effective cure, put 10 drops with a single
a week. On the other hand, for plants requiring shadow and having a slow metabo- dripping every 10 litres and interrupting
lism, SPECIAL SHADE cmay be used with the same measuring. Never use together water changes for the next 5 days.
the two SPECIAL series.
From the moment the aquarium is set up and from its partial water changes (about 30%
GREEN BACTER:
a week), it is necessary to use tap water as well since AQUA SOIL series lowers pH, GH
They are colonizing bacteria acting
and KH values remarkably. Since the hardness of tap water is unsteady, it is advisable to
both in the column of water and on
keep a value of 3 or 4 KH and of 6 or 8 GH. For example, it is suitable to use 50% tap
the filtering material. They are also
water, whose values are of 8 or 10 KH and 15 or 20 GH, and 50% osmosis water. After
excellent to strengthen the bacterial
about 10 water changes, the ratio between osmosis water and tap water will be of 4 to 1.
colonies in shortly set up tanks.
When a water change is made, add PHYTON GIT as an efficient preventative mea- At the start-up of the layout, use one drop
sure against algae and organisms causing diseases in plants. a day every 20 litres. After 3 weeks, or
when a water change is made, put one
As soon as the trimming of the plants is over, which should be made every 1 or 2 drop every 10 litres.
weeks in accordance with their species and quantity, GREEN GAIN should be drip-
ped in order to strengthen plants and to stimulate the blossom of new buds.
12 CARBON DIOXIDE

This primary element for plants should be given and measured very carefully.
It is very
From the start-up of the layout, rich in vegetation, and up to 2 or 3 weeks, one or two CO2
important that
bubbles per second every 100 litres should be considered. Later, the number of CO2 bubbles
CO2 is measured
per second will be increased up to 3 or 4.
when the lights are
on.

The best way of supplying CO2 is by means of

POLLEN GLASS series. Thanks to their micro
porous plate, they atomize carbon dioxide effecti-
vely, having it absorbed easily by plants.

In order to count CO2 bubbles correctly, it is advi-

sable using BUBBLE COUNTER together with the
one-way valve CABOCHON RUBY .
 Example of an ADA layout ( simple maintenance ) 13

Aquarium: 90x45x45cm
Plants: Cryptocoryne parva, Microsorium pteropus var. narrow, Cryptocoryne wendtii green,
Cryptocoryne balansae, Cyperus helferi, Anubias bonsai, Riccardia sp.
Substrate: Power Sand, Bacter 100, Bright Sand, Africana.
Fertilizers: Brighty K (1ml three times a week every 20 litres);
Step (1ml three times a week every 20 litres);
ECA (1 drop three times a week every 20 litres).
CO2: 1 bubble per second
Lightning: One lamp Solar I turned on 8 hours per day and put at 35 cm from the water surface
Water change: 30% a week
14 Example of an ADA layout ( medium maintenance )

Aquarium: 120x45x45cm.
Plants: Eleocharis acicularis, Rotala rotundifolia “green”, Vesicularia sp.
Substrate: Power Sand, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Africana / Malaya
Fertilizers: Brighty K (1 ml every 20 litres every day);
Step (1 ml three times a week every 20 litres);
ECA (2 drops three times a week every 20 litres)
CO2: 2 bubbles per second
Lightning: Two lamps Solar I turned on 8 or 9 hours and put at 35 cm from the water surface
Water change: 20% twice a week
 Example of an ADA layout ( difficult maintenance ) 15

Aquarium: 90x45x45cm
Plants: Riccia fluitans, Vesicularia dubiana, Microsorium pteropus var. narrow, Micranthemum umbrosum,
Rotala macranda sp., Rotala nanjenshan, Rotala rotundifolia
Substrate: Power Sand, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Turmaline BC, Amazonia, Bright Sand.
Fertilizers: Brighty K (1ml every day every 20 litres);
Step (1ml four times a week every 20 litres);
ECA (3 drops every day every 20 litres)
CO2: 3 bubbles per second
Lightning: One lamp Solar I turned on 8 or 9 hours and put at 30 cm from the water surface
Water change: 20% for three times a week