[Robert Hudson]

I was wondering about this product, but before I made a post I did a search and found this thread!

I thought I would try and break down the bullets in their magazine ads..

Bio activ nutrients, for faster healthier plant growth

I presume this means the minerals are chelated, either EDTA or some kind of organic binding agent

100% natural, no artificial dyes or additives

Its not epoxy coated gravel. It comes in different colors like Flourite does, black, red...

Naturally spherical grains promotes maximum diffusion, (aeration)

Anotherwords it will not compact, and it is smooth edged instead of fracted like Flourite

Activ Flora is rich in Iron, no need for laterite

So it is some kind of clay

Contains live bacteria

Thats always debateable in these products

....is extremely micro porus

Means it has high Cation Exchange Capacity, the ability to attract, hold and store positive ions, minerals and hold them for plant uptake.

Natural bi-segmentation process to promote optimal oxygenation

I have no idea what that means. Anybody have a guess?

Their WEB site has a guaranteed analysys,

Elemental Analysis:

Aluminum ..................10210
Magnesium ................ 2281

Barium ..........................124
Manganese .....................64

Calcium..........................195
Sodium.........................223

Cobalt...............................6
Nickel............................12

Chromium........................13
Vanadium.......................15

Copper ............................17
Zinc...............................29

Iron.............................18500

Potassium .................... 2195

Units=mg/kg

Anybody using it? Any thoughts. I have no idea what this stuff sells for

Its particularly high in aluminum, magnesium, potassium, and the highest concentration is iron. The fact it is fairly high in aluminum oxide makes it more like laterite than clay. Aluminum is of no value to plants

 

[Robert Hudson]

"For new setups, empty contents of bag into aquarium and fill with de-chlorinated tap water or distilled water. Activ-Flora™ will automatically bi-segment into 2 layers with finer grade substrate on the bottom.
If adding to an existing system, drain liquid prior to introducing new substrate and add slowly, while mixing."
So, I guess that's what they mean by bi-segmentation: small things fall through big cracks.

I didn't see that on their WEB site. Thats interesting. They sure do like to use big words to describe simple processes! Hey, but thats marketing! It really seems to be more like Eco complete than anything else. I like the look of it, and the smooth round little pebbles are nice. Even after all these years, some people still think that the edges of Flourite are too sharp for some fish.

 

[Robert Hudson]

This almost seems to be trying to run up some excitement based on some big, "scientificaly" sounding words(yep...I made that word up!).
I used to write advertising copy..so I know of what I speak.

LOL... very very true... but they ALL do that. Seachem, Eco complete, Amano.... its all marketing, but there is also some truth in there somewhere. In my opinion, every commecial substrate is basically the same. Only real difference is asthetic and other minor issues. I guess nobody here has tried this stuff yet. At least these guys are providing the mineral content, Amano won't even do that.