Aqua Soil with No Ammonia Leaching - Is That Possible?! Brightwell Substrate Review

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3 жыл бұрын

I've been working with Brightwell's substrate for quite a bit now and there's quite a few surprises when it comes to this competitor in the aqua soil market. Let's talk about the good, the bad, and the incredible.
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Пікірлер: 69

@audreycooper4860 2 ай бұрын

I must say I just love his expressions when he is telling a story 😂. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with different products, this info helps tremendously and is much appreciated!!

@MasterPhotographer 3 жыл бұрын

Once again, you have provided an unbiased and practical review of a product. These are exactly what we need in this hobby! There is a reason that companies are not only referring to your reviews, but sending you products. They know that you are going to provide information that hobbyists will find helpful. Well done, my friend! 😊👍

@RaulsAquaticsandReptiles 2 ай бұрын

Great video. Very informative 👊🏽

@marksterlson 3 жыл бұрын

A thorough and complete review, Thank you for doing the work and a little ramble is o.k.

@marypaigeflynn4512 3 жыл бұрын

Aqua soils can be kind of confusing at times. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with these substrates!! Great pros and cons and that's really amazing about no detectable ammonia.🤯 Awesome!! I really enjoyed the video. I would definitely love to try some of brightwill's products 💯 I hope you're having a blessed and wonderful weekend Bentley!!🙏🌿🐟🌿💚 PS The aquarium and the cripts 😍🔥

@tetraguytx1705 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. I'm planning to set up a 40 gallon planted tank and I haven't been excited, for one reason or another, with the available substrate options. But this one sounds perfect. I already follow the Pascoe Method for filtration on my planted 29 gallon; it's running a SeaChem Tidal 110, which I have found to be the sweet spot for getting the benefits of a canister filter from a HOB. (I once heard you say you had a 110 on a 29 gallon.) So now I'll get to combine that filtration approach with what sounds like an excellent substrate in a new tank. Very helpful channel. I joined. Thank you.

@rachelmurray8970 3 жыл бұрын

I just set up my first "brightwell" aquascape, based on your comments in previous videos. I'm looking forward to seeing it fill in 🥰

@RogueAquariums 3 жыл бұрын

Brightwell aquatics has a great line of freshwater products, including their soil. They are in approximately 50-60 countries and more readily available. Nice job Bentley in explaining how their soil works. Glad you had some great results thus far.

@joeestes4958 3 жыл бұрын

Mind blown. I'm saving this video for next planted tank. Thanks Bentley

@gsmhnc12 3 жыл бұрын

Haven't tried it yet because it isn't available locally. I'll be curious to see what you learn about using their layered systems. Incremental difference between multiple layers versus single layer? No difference? Big difference? Measured by? Plant growth? Easy of maintenance? Fish health? I'm guessing your point about "hobbyist" versus serious competitve aquascapers will apply. You might also track how livestock would influence substrate choices. If one has "digging" fish, it might impact substrate decisions. You have my attention. Stay awesome (and keep testing)!

@UNIXSOLJASysadminSyndicate Жыл бұрын

Great video.

@StephenP2003 3 жыл бұрын

A+ thumbnail. This substrate makes me want to set up a new planted tank and actually try to keep caridina in my 120ppm KH water.

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

My lady did some wizardry

@bobwoth3850 3 жыл бұрын

I have found that these type of substrates work quite well. Aquarium Pharm use to have a laterite that I used back in the ‘80’s. I have used SeaChems clay based products and I had great plant growth. I will try the Brightwell substrates.

@RikoStan 3 жыл бұрын

I haven't used anything but eco-complete in the 10 months or so since I've been back to the hobby, but I think my next tank will try one of the others, maybe the Brightwell! Thanks for another awesome review.

@SKInoue626 3 жыл бұрын

Definitely will try their laterite ones when I redo my tank with crypts

@Wulfemeister 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the review! I have a nano tank with crypts and various other plants along with shrimp. I used the Fluval Stratum, and have had great success keeping my plants. I did however, like everyone else, have the ammonia spikes. I recently purchased a Fluval Flex 32g which will be my new plant and shrimp tank. (I saw your video of the AquaSky 2.0, and can't wait for your updated video....I plan on using 2 light strips in my Flex) I will most definitely try the Brighwell products going forward. Question. With the Brightwell products, do they recommend replacing the soil after a couple of years like the Fluval Stratum? Keep up the great videos!

@WhiteCloud746 3 жыл бұрын

Brightwell's laterite is a gem for those who miss API laterite being on the market. I'm going to try this aquasoil too.

@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing 🐟 💪 ✌

@MridulSinghMusic 3 жыл бұрын

I've got some of the brightwell (don't remember which kind), mixed in with Stratum and I think maybe a cup of ADA (I set up my tank with spare substrates I had laying around lol). Overall it's a good brand, and their laterite products are really useful. Thanks for sharing Bentley!

@njbiker2008 Жыл бұрын

I will be doing Brightwell in my new100-gallon tank T/K you!!! It will be 5 to 6 weeks out having a custom acrylic tank made..

@BentleyPascoe Жыл бұрын

Sounds amazing!

@SudhirRavindramohan 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the vid. Great product review. We do not get brightwell products in India yet. We have choices of Ada Amazonia, tropica soil, fluval stratum, contra soil, etc.

@brianklimaszewski 3 жыл бұрын

Haven't tried it yet. Almost bought a bag, but picked up a bag of ada because I wanted to try it out on my next planted display tank. I guess if this ever goes on sale I might pick up a bag.

@robertescobar7790 3 жыл бұрын

So a buddy sent me your way to watch and learn. I decided to follow your lasagna layers but picked up spectrum, after watching this I think I'm going to swap it out with the brightwell👍🍻 It's an already established tank with some pretty high dollar fish (plan on moving fish to another tank but want to move them back asap) I do have a few questions though

@chrisdavidson3180 3 жыл бұрын

You Tha man!

@aquariumplantman 3 жыл бұрын

We don’t have iBrightwell in Australia. I usually use Amazonia but trying Controsoil in my latest tank. 🌿

@jaxntax5509 3 жыл бұрын

I will need to get some very useful information Ammonia can be tricky but I have many root feeders.

@davidkinch2100 3 жыл бұрын

It sounds like a good product for most people. ADA Amazonia leach’s ammonium (NH4) if your ph is above 7 then it turns into ammonia (NH3) and this becomes highly toxic to fish and shrimp. However with a low ph and proper start to the nitrification process you can limit this. (Still recommend not adding fish anytime soon) but NH4 and actually NH3 are easier for plants to use as a source of nitrogen. So it can be great for getting a carpet of montecarlo going. Now all that being said of course ADA now makes Amazonia light and that has very little NH4.

@leo2o915 2 жыл бұрын

So want to switch my flex 15 to the brightwell but want to do the cafe but kinda want it finer so how do you think would be the best way to do it use laterin also

@TheNanoAquariumGuy 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info! I just have one question, do you consider the volume to be similar to fluval stratum? Sometimes a 17lbs bag of something is less than another.

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

It's very close, I haven't measured it, but I can tell by how much it covers in a 40B

@John-Ebsen 3 жыл бұрын

I've mostly used eco complete with some minor success (probably my fault), and am using stratum in my new tank as I found a good sale price. I will probably cap the stratum with eco complete or just mix them, I don't know what's best. Using a finnex planted+ 24/7 and putting in a ton of dwarf chain sword. Gonna fertilize the ever loving fluff out of it in my last attempt at plants, or it's a life of plastic for me. lol.

@mangala666 3 жыл бұрын

Thumbs up for “filter gravy” lmao... Been doing it that way for years!

@mangala666 3 жыл бұрын

Soft desire to downvote for calling yourself dumb. You’re not dumb. Stoppit.

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

@@mangala666 it's something nice done forever, keeps me humble

@Knight636 3 жыл бұрын

I was waiting for this so thank you. One question though...brightwell says you can use sand or gravel above the Florinbase laterin substrate F. What are your thoughts on that?

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

I personally don't like sand, but that's a bias. You certainly can, I would just personally look at a fine gravel for aesthetics, but if you prefer sand, use a coarse grain sand

@shadeaquaticbreeder2914 3 жыл бұрын

Do you know what would work as a long(er) term iron source for crypt and lily tanks? I thought of incorporating something like the Brightwell product but I don't think that'd last too too long

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

Getting laterite in some fashion down at the base of the substrate lasts a good while. I've used seachem laterite red in the past to help out

@hellothere312 9 ай бұрын

Please help, what about neo’s? I’m getting the florin cafe but what about the buffering ?

@BentleyPascoe 9 ай бұрын

Neos can handle a pretty wide range as long as you have mineral content they want. I would stress less about buffering honestly.

@Jstroman221 3 жыл бұрын

Which size do you personally recommend 🤔 for our planted tanks, would it matter which? Definitely interested (you said F I believe).

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

I like the F, I think it's the perfect middle ground

@onlywei 3 жыл бұрын

The description says the Rio Escuro lowers GH. Is it still suitable for rainbow fish?

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

Yep, it's going to absorb things like most aquasoil, just buffer with crushed coral or similar and you'll be fine

@kevin-justacs1008 Жыл бұрын

Hello Bentley now can you use florin F by itself or do you have to use multi layers of this substrate none of which I can afford multiple bags of different stuff is out of the question for me ..

@BentleyPascoe Жыл бұрын

Yes you can use one on its own and don't need the full line. I would use one of the larger sizes solo.

@kevin-justacs1008 Жыл бұрын

@@BentleyPascoe you can also laterite power under any substrate those soils are just to much...

@Ethan-mw1qx 3 жыл бұрын

You should definitely take a look at landen soil!

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

It's on a list actually! I intend to try it out

@rosie2155 3 жыл бұрын

Is it rough like Eco complete, for corys etc

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

No, similar to ada Amazonia or Fluval Stratum, smoother round shape

@zakashiXninja 2 жыл бұрын

Could u add this to a tank with fish in it? Or would it change the water chemistry to much

@BentleyPascoe 2 жыл бұрын

I would add it slowly, depends on size of tank. Say 1/4 bag per couple days in a 40g.

@zakashiXninja 2 жыл бұрын

@@BentleyPascoe thanks :) I have 75 gal planted tank but I didn't make my substrate deep enough

@mikefritz4111 3 жыл бұрын

For clay i use mexican potters. and roll in little balls. Much chèaper

@JoeBurner1720 2 жыл бұрын

Thinking about just using their powders under some dirt. Think it’ll be alright?

@BentleyPascoe 2 жыл бұрын

As long as you have a good cap above the dirt

@JoeBurner1720 2 жыл бұрын

@@BentleyPascoe Well yes haha. Hope no ones makes that mistake lol

@Ttblondey 3 жыл бұрын

Never seen in Singapore

@dirtyoldfarmhand3 3 жыл бұрын

limitless

@andrewtheduk 2 жыл бұрын

I'm going insane from washing this soil

@BentleyPascoe 2 жыл бұрын

I never washed mine, don't have to with a fresh tank. I can understand one wash before adding to established systems. You should not need to continually wash it

@harveygronwald1699 2 ай бұрын

great video thank you for making it. What PH can i expect to get? im told i need 5.5-5.85 if i want crazy caridina breeding. I have a tank with shrimp babies that are so tiny they are hard to see so i cant take they out.. can I put this is a media bag and float it to bring down PH?

@BentleyPascoe 2 ай бұрын

From RO maybe you could hit that

@majorbruster5916 3 жыл бұрын

I love these substrates a lot. But I do wish that KZfaqrs would get the spelling of 'leaching' right. Leeches are those highly extensible flat worms that live in ponds and streams. Pity spellcheckers don't do context.

@BentleyPascoe 3 жыл бұрын

Never said I was an English expert 🤣. Thanks for pointing out my mess up!

@majorbruster5916 3 жыл бұрын

@@BentleyPascoe You're not alone, Bentley. At least you have the humility to admit to an error, many KZfaqrs won't, and for that you deserve credit. I was advised by my professor that before giving a lecture, I should check my facts and my spelling. That way, I would avoid the embarrassment of being corrected by a student. Always enjoy your videos and find your advice helpful.