Malaya is the substrate material produced with an image of ocher color soil in Southeast Asia. It promotes a natural feeling of the aquascape. Relatively soft granules do not obstruct the growth of plant roots, and it is suitable for keeping the aquarium layout for a long period.

ADA Aquasoils are a special substrate that provide aquatic plants the very best start to their life under water. Aquasoils have numerous reasons why they perform so well for aquatic plants and as a result, remains one of the most popular aquatic substrates to this very day. All aquatic plants prefer an acidic environment - anything alkaline and plants struggle to absorb nutrients. Aquasoils reduce pH so the water remains acidic making it perfect for plants. It also reduces KH and GH, again this favours the plants.

Aquasoil granules are round in shape and maintain this shape for long periods of time. The size allows oxygen to circulate and therefore avoid any pockets of anaerobic activity. It also means the placing plants in the substrate is very easy. We recommend you use tweesers for this (they make light work of it).

Some other features of this substrate are:

• It's a natural product taken from the earth and is therefore in harmony with nature.
• The shape of the granules allows for dirt floating in the water to be captured therefore keeping your water cleaner for longer naturally.
• Amazing clarity is achieved when using Aquasoils.
• Hardness is naturally lowered without the use of chemicals.
• pH is reduced naturally and the levels stabilise to provide aquatic plants and ideal pH level of approximately 5.5-6.5.
• Granule size means plants root quickly and healthily.
• Granules maintain their shape and size for a long period of time and hold air in between them which is necessary for the long term maintenance.
• The use of Power Sand under Aquasoil allows for fast colonisation of bacteria in the substrate and creates ideal conditions for plant roots. It also turbo charges your plants and you will see faster growth with plants such as Hemianthus Callitrichoides.
• Available in 3 different colours to suit different tastes.
• Also available in powder form which is suitable for smaller aquariums or for topping normal Aquasoils. Powder soils allow foreground plants to root better and more quickly. 
• If you place powder type soils around rocks and wood, the transition in soil size is better and more natural.

Once you have set up with Aquasoil we recommend you wait 3 weeks before adding live stock. This is due to the NH4 spike which occurs (essential for aquatic plants at the beginning) but harmful to livestock. After 3 weeks you can begin to add freshwater shrimp and then fish.