The current mainstream of substrate soil is ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia. Besides this signature　product, the Aqua Soil series has Malaya and Africana in its lineup. Understanding the characteristics and effectively using these two types of soil allow you to enjoy layouts in different water quality from the one obtained with Aqua Soil Amazonia.

ADA - Aqua Design Amano - Aqua Soil Malaya

A distinct feature of Aqua Soil Malaya is its ocher-color soil and effect of making the water more acidic. This soil is therefore suitable for aquatic plants that usually take time to grow without touching roots, such as Cryptocoryne, rather than the plants that will ultimately require replanting such as stemmed plants. Since Aqua Soil Malaya contains less amount of nitrogen, it is effective to use stick-type substrate nutrients such as ADA Iron Bottom and ADA Multi Bottom especially for growing Cryptocoryne using Aqua Soil Malaya.

Nature aquarium from Takashi Amano with ADA - Aqua Design Amano - Aqua Soil Malaya.
“Taking the time to grow” is a key for growing Cryptocoryne, a plant for which replanting is not suitable. Aqua Soil Malaya’s effect of making water more acidic works well for Cryptocoryne.
Aquarium: ADA Cube Garden 90-P - 90x45x45 cm

ADA - Aqua Design Amano - Aqua Soil Africana

Aqua Soil Africana resembling red soil commonly seen in tropical regions can add a tropical feel to the layout by spreading it on the substrate surface. Due to its less nutrient content, Aqua Soil Africana and Malaya slow the growth of aquatic plants. These soils are ideal for those who wish to avoid rapid growth of aquatic plants that takes place with the use of ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia. They are also good for beginner aquarists who are not very familiar with water quality control including handling of cloudy water.

Nature aquarium from Takashi Amano with ADA - Aqua Design Amano - Aqua Soil Africana.
The exposed red soil of Aqua Soil Africana produces the image of tropical rainforest. Epiphytic aquatic plants such as mosses and ferns grow beautifully with Aqua Soil Africana that contains less amount of nutrients.
Aquarium: ADA Cube Garden 90-P - 90x45x45 cm

Source and Copyright of the article/photos - Aqua Design Amano - ADA