FYI - ADA knock off

[charlie]

[Warning] Other brand's "Aqua Soil" currently distributed in Hong Kong is NOT
the same product as ADA Aqua Soil - Amazonia.

ADA Aqua Soil - Amazonia (ADA Amazonia) is one of ADA's popular products for
planted aquarium layout and redbee shrimp breeding among the hobbyists.
It has come to our attention that, recently, a soil product also named
"Aqua Soil (Hong Kong Aqua Soil)" has been sold in Hong Kong.
Some of the retailers handling Hong Kong Aqua Soil were told that the product
was approved by ADA. However, ADA has no concern whatsoever about this product,
and it is NOT the same product as ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia. Here, we would like
to warn our customers that there is a possibility of distribution of this
Hong Kong Aqua Soil in countries outside Hong Kong.

Appearance of Hong Kong Aqua Soil
Hong Kong Aqua Soil looks blackish brown color similar to ADA Amazonia. It comes
in 9L and 3L bags, and also offers normal gain type and powder type products.
As you see, the product lineup is same as that of ADA Amazonia.
Hong Kong Aqua Soil also says "Made in JAPAN" on the package.

Product Comparison
According to experimental results of our extraction experiment, where alkaline
solution was used to compare the content of humic acid contained in each soil
sample, a lot of humic acid was extracted from ADA Amazonia, but none from
Hong Kong Aqua Soil. Humic acid is a principle organic acid which is contained
in natural black soil and beneficial to physiological function of the growth of
aquatic plants root, fishes and shrimps. It demonstrates that ADA Amazonia is
the product of quality, natural black soil (plant-based black soil), and the major
ingredient of Hong Kong Aqua Soil is a soil having only a small amount of humic
acid (volcanic ash-based black soil).
Moreover, COD and TDS values of each soil sample tell us that ADA Amazonia contains
more inorganic and organic matters, which are necessary nutrients for aquatic
plants, than Hong Kong Aqua Soil.

In conclusion, ADA Amazonia is completely different from Hong Kong Aqua Soil in
the materials and characteristics. Hong Kong Aqua Soil is categorized as what is
called "adsorbent type soil", therefore, it doesn't have the same effect for the
growth of aquatic plants and breeding of bee shrimps compared to ADA Amazonia.
The hobbyists living outside Japan may think that all "Made in Japan" soil products
have the same type of quality, but the difference in quality between ADA Amazonia
and other brand soils is quite substantial. The production of ADA Amazonia is
limited because its ingredient, plant-based black soil, is collected only in a small
amount, while many other soil products can be manufactured in a large quantity
because they are generally made of volcanic ash-based black soils.

We hereby warn to all hobbyists and customers to understand the above differences
between ADA Amazonia and Hong Kong Aqua Soil, and we do hope you will not confuse
ADA Amazonia with other soil products including Hong Kong Aqua Soil.

To read more detailed report and see experimental results, please visit our website:
http://www.adana.co.jp/en/sc/news/detail/1654
http://www.adana.co.jp/en/pdf/Product_Information_Aqua-Soil_Series_1.pdf