2Hr Aquarist APT Feast Aquasoil

2Hr Aquarist APT Feast Aquasoil – Nutrient-Rich Planted Aquarium Soil

2Hr Aquarist APT Feast Aquasoil is a premium nutrient-rich aquarium substrate developed for planted aquariums and aquascapes. Its organic, nutrient-dense granules provide sustained root-zone nutrition while creating a biologically active substrate environment that supports healthy plant rooting and microbial development.

APT Feast is designed to provide a sustained nutritional boost for 12 months and beyond, while helping soften aquarium water towards approximately pH 6.2–6.6. Its granules provide useful planting weight, retain their form and release nutrients gradually rather than delivering all their nutritional content at once.

Available in 2 Ltr and 5 Ltr pack sizes.

Why Choose APT Feast for a Planted Aquarium?

APT Feast combines three important characteristics required from a high-performance planted aquarium substrate:

• Nutrient-rich root-zone support
• Long-lasting nutrient availability
• Bioactive support for roots and beneficial microorganisms
• Granules designed to retain their form
• Helps create softer, mildly acidic aquarium conditions
• Suitable for demanding aquatic plants and aquascapes
• Designed for long-term planted aquarium use
• No APT START required during initial setup

The high organic content of APT Feast planted aquarium soil encourages faster root development and microbial activity while nutrients are released gradually through the substrate

Nutrient-Rich Aquasoil for Strong Plant Growth

APT Feast contains 0.5% nitrogen and 0.25% phosphorus in baked loam granules.

The manufacturer states that APT Feast contains more than twice the nitrogen of conventional major-brand aquasoils, providing a substantial nutrient reserve for rooted aquatic plants

APT Feast Composition

Sustained Nutrition for 12 Months and Beyond

Replacing aquarium substrate in an established aquascape is difficult, so long-term substrate performance matters.

APT Feast is designed to release nutrients evenly over an extended period and provide sustained nutrition for at least 12 months, reducing the need for additional root fertilisation during the initial long-term growth period.

The granules themselves are designed to break down slowly, allowing the substrate to remain useful for years. Periodic enrichment can subsequently be used when required to maintain peak root-zone nutrition

Bioactive Aquasoil for Root & Microbial Development

APT Feast uses organic granules designed to provide both good planting characteristics and a biologically active substrate environment.

Its organic content encourages faster rooting and microbial development, helping establish the root-zone ecosystem that supports a mature planted aquarium.

The granules provide enough weight to hold newly planted aquatic plants while being designed to maintain their physical form rather than rapidly breaking apart

APT Feast and Water Parameters

APT Feast is an active aquasoil designed to soften aquarium water and create the mildly acidic conditions preferred by many planted-aquarium species.

The manufacturer specifies a target range of approximately:

pH 6.2–6.6

This makes APT Feast particularly suitable for planted aquariums and aquascapes where softer, mildly acidic water is desirable.

Actual aquarium pH will also depend on source-water chemistry, KH, hardscape materials, CO₂ injection, water changes and other aquarium conditions

How Much APT Feast Should You Use?

APT Feast should be installed at an approximate substrate depth of:

4 cm / 1.6 inches

The actual quantity required therefore depends primarily on the aquarium base dimensions and desired substrate depth, rather than aquarium water volume alone.

For aquascapes requiring a deeper substrate at the rear for slope and perspective, additional aquasoil may be required.

How to Use 2Hr Aquarist APT Feast Aquasoil

Step 1: Add APT Feast

Add APT Feast directly to the aquarium base at an average depth of approximately 4 cm / 1.6 inches.

Create additional depth or slopes where required by the aquascape design.

Step 2: Add Hardscape & Water

Position the required rocks, wood and other hardscape materials and fill the aquarium with water.

Step 3: Begin Cycling

For an uncycled aquarium, the manufacturer recommends either:

• Performing a 100% water change every other day for approximately two weeks, or
• Using a 2-week Dark Start before planting.

Beneficial starter bacteria and/or mature detritus can also be introduced to support microbial development.

Step 4: Plant After a Dark Start

After completing a Dark Start, perform a 100% water change before planting.

Begin with hardy aquatic plants first.

Avoid introducing sensitive plants such as delicate species, rare hybrids and Bucephalandra immediately during the earliest stage.

Step 5: Continue Initial Water Changes

After planting, perform approximately an 80% weekly water change for another two weeks.

More delicate and slow-growing plants can then be introduced as the aquarium matures

When Can Fish & Shrimp Be Added?

For a newly established aquarium using APT Feast, allow the aquarium time to develop biological stability before adding livestock.

The manufacturer recommends waiting approximately 3–4 weeks before introducing fish or shrimp.

Cycling progress and aquarium stability should always be evaluated before livestock is introduced

Do You Need APT Start with APT Feast?

Unlike 2Hr Aquarist APT Start, which is designed to enrich other substrates during initial setup, APT Feast already provides substantial substrate nutrition and does not require APT START underneath it

This distinguishes APT Feast from substrates that require a separate nutrient base or startup enrichment layer.

For additional microbial support during aquarium cycling and maturation, consider 2Hr Aquarist APT Balance according to its recommended dosage and startup instructions

APT Feast vs Inert Aquarium Substrate

APT Feast is an active, nutrient-rich planted aquarium substrate, while inert substrates primarily provide physical support for plant roots.

APT Feast

• Contains plant nutrients
• Supports root-zone nutrition
• Helps soften aquarium water
• Encourages microbial development
• Designed for long-term planted aquarium use
• Provides sustained nutrient release

Inert Substrate

• Provides little or no inherent plant nutrition
• Usually has less influence on water chemistry
• Root-feeding plants generally require separate substrate fertilisation
• Primarily provides physical anchoring and aesthetic substrate coverage

For heavily planted aquariums and demanding rooted plants, APT Feast provides a complete nutrient-rich foundation from the initial setup

Who Is APT Feast Suitable For?

2Hr Aquarist APT Feast Aquasoil is suitable for:

• Planted aquariums
• Aquascaping tanks
• High-tech planted aquariums
• Low-tech planted aquariums
• Root-feeding aquatic plants
• Carpeting plants
• Stem-plant aquascapes
• Tanks containing demanding plant species
• New aquariums requiring a nutrient-rich active substrate
• Aquarists seeking long-term substrate nutrition

APT Feast 2L vs 5L

APT Feast is available in two pack sizes to suit different aquarium dimensions and aquascaping requirements.

APT Feast 2 Ltr

The 2 Ltr pack is convenient for smaller aquariums, nano planted tanks, supplementary substrate requirements and aquascapes where only a limited area requires nutrient-rich aquasoi

APT Feast 5 Ltr

The 5 Ltr pack provides more substrate volume for larger planted aquariums or aquascapes requiring greater depth and substrate coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2Hr Aquarist APT Feast?

2Hr Aquarist APT Feast is a nutrient-rich active aquasoil developed for planted aquariums. It provides long-term substrate nutrition, supports root and microbial development and helps create softer, mildly acidic aquarium conditions.

How long does APT Feast provide nutrients?

APT Feast is designed to provide sustained nutrition for 12 months and beyond. Its granules break down slowly and are designed for long-term use, with periodic enrichment possible later when required.

 What substrate depth is recommended?

The manufacturer recommends an average APT Feast depth of approximately 4 cm / 1.6 inches. Additional depth can be used where required for aquascaping slopes or deeper planting areas.

Do I need APT Start with APT Feast?

No. The manufacturer specifically states that APT START is not required when setting up a new aquarium with APT Feast.

Does APT Feast lower aquarium pH?

APT Feast is designed to soften aquarium water and supports mildly acidic conditions around pH 6.2–6.6. Actual pH will depend on the aquarium’s source water and overall chemistry.

Can beginners use APT Feast?

Yes. The manufacturer considers APT Feast suitable for beginners provided the recommended initial water-change and aquarium-maturation routine is followed.

When can fish or shrimp be added?

The manufacturer recommends waiting approximately 3–4 weeks before introducing fish or shrimp to a newly established APT Feast aquarium.

Is APT Feast available in different sizes?

Yes. Aqua Zones currently offers 2 Ltr and 5 Ltr variations.

Learn More About 2Hr Aquarist APT Feast

For additional product information and manufacturer guidance:

Official 2Hr Aquarist APT Feast Product Information

Compared to conventional ‘big brand’ AquaSoil, APT Feast contains more than 2X the amount of Nitrogen (N), the most important macro nutrient. That is like having a 60,000 mAh powerbank instead of everybody else’s 30,000 mAh version.

Substrate is a hassle to replace. APT Feast easily provides sustained nutrition for up to 12 months without any additional root fertilisation. No, you don’t even need APT START when you begin!

Probiotic, organic granules that hold their form yet feel and perform like natural soil. Plant roots sense it immediately. So do beneficial bacteria.

HOW TO USE 2Hr Aquarist APT Feast AquaSoil?

Add APT Feast, Hardscape and Water.
Filter on, lights off. Add Starter bacteria and/or detritus from matured tank. Bonus: Raise temperature to 29C/84F. This will speed up the cycling.

Dark Start completed? Perform 100% water change and add hardy plants. Begin water fertilization: Dose APT liquid fertilisers from Day 1 after planting. Avoid Bucephalandra, delicate plants until 2 weeks later.

Perform 80% water change every week, for another 2 weeks after initial planting. Introduce slow growers, delicates, tissue culture plants and fish/ shrimp after that.

A Cold Start (using an inorganic substrate) is like putting fresh cut flowers in a vase: it is conveniently easy for the first 1-3 weeks. There is no need for water changes and it is OK add fish almost immediately. Plants do not melt (yet), and there is little algae. The problems come 4-6 weeks later. After consuming their stored energy, plants begin to struggle, and algae (delayed at the beginning) gain an entrenched foothold, taking advantage of the weaker plants and less developed microbial ecology.

A Warm Start (using a highly organic substrate) is like starting a miniature farm: real work is required at the start to avoid making an immediate mess. A 2 week Dark Start (ideally at ~26C+/ 79F+), followed by a 100% water change before adding hardy plants (no Bucephalandra, rare hybrids, delicate plants yet). Weekly 80% water change for another 2 weeks. Fish and delicate plants enter 1 month after planting. The reward? Richer colors and stronger growth that endures, with enhanced microbial diversity that supports crystal clear waters.

APT Feast AquaSoil Guide