ADA Malaya Aqua Soil – Naturally Softens Hard Water for a Healthy, Plant-Friendly Aquarium
A distinct feature of Aqua Soil Malaya is its ocher-colour and the effect of making the water more acidic.
ADA Malaya Aqua Soil is a premium, natural substrate designed to recreate the soft, slightly acidic conditions of tropical freshwater ecosystems. Its unique composition gently lowers both pH and carbonate hardness (KH), making it an excellent choice for aquarists looking to soften hard tap water and create a more stable, plant- and shrimp-friendly environment.
How Does It Work?
When added to your tank, Malaya soil absorbs carbonates from the water. This process reduces KH—which is your water’s natural buffering capacity—and allows pH to drop slightly, creating the soft-water conditions many aquatic plants and tropical species thrive in.
This is especially helpful if your tap water is on the harder side, as Malaya helps naturally balance and soften your parameters without the need for harsh chemical treatments.
Why Choose ADA Malaya?
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Ideal for hard or moderately hard tap water – naturally softens and stabilises it
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Creates excellent conditions for tropical plants, shrimp, and blackwater species
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Helps prevent algae by supporting healthy plant growth and nutrient balance
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Supports strong root development with its fine-grain, nutrient-rich structure, great for plants such as cryptocorynes
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Minimal ammonia leaching, meaning faster cycling and clearer water compared to other soils
Soft Water Users
If your source water is already very soft or low in KH, Malaya can push pH and buffering capacity even lower. This isn’t a problem as long as it’s managed correctly: simply remineralise your water slightly (using GH/KH additives) to maintain stability, protect livestock, and avoid rapid pH swings.
Regular water changes can help prevent KH and pH from dropping too much in a planted tank, especially when you're using aqua soil like ADA Malaya or Amazonia, which naturally lower KH and pH over time.
By performing weekly water changes, you're replenishing some of the lost KH from your tap water, helping to stabiliSe pH and maintain a healthier environment for both plants and livestock. This is especially important in soft water setups, where KH is already low. In such cases, adding a remineralisers during water changes can further support long-term stability and prevent dangerous pH swings.
Suitability Summary:
| Water Type |
Malaya Performance |
| Hard/moderately hard water |
✅ Excellent – naturally softens and balances |
| Soft water |
⚠️ Use with remineralisation for stability or weekly water changes |
| RO/DI water |
⚠️ Must remineralise before use |
| High-tech planted tanks |
✅ Works well with added fertilisers & root tabs |
| Blackwater/Biotopes |
✅ Ideal environment - but check livestock preferences |
Whether you're building a lush aquascape, a calm shrimp haven, or a blackwater biotope, ADA Malaya Aqua Soil offers a natural, effective way to condition your water, support plant growth, and maintain long-term stability. With a little attention to your KH and pH levels, it’s a fantastic choice for aquarists looking for beautiful results with balanced, healthy water chemistry.
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Top tips
As the soil is has the ability to make water even more acidic compared to other soil this will help soften water in hard water areas
- Since Aqua Soil Malaya contains less amount of nitrogen, it is effective to use stick-type substrate nutrients such as ADA Bottom plus
