Scattered across forums and Facebook fan pages, we discovered that the substrate used in ADA aquascaping from Japan is currently showing signs of being counterfeited, and the culprit is none other than our “dear” neighbor, China.
Before distinguishing between real and fake, let’s briefly explore its harmful effects:
- Substrate is prone to clumping
- Causes yellowing of water
- Short lifespan
- Leads to algae problems.
- The most harmful effect is causing a sense of frustration!
How to distinguish between fake and real
(Information from adana-hk.com)
On the left is the FAKE, on the right is the REAL.
At first glance, it may be difficult, but upon closer inspection, there are some differences. The ink lines on the fake product look quite rough due to poor printing quality, resulting in uneven lines with some white spots on the printed text, while the real product has more consistent ink that is slightly lighter but has a more uniform color and thicker lettering.
Regarding the seal, it is very difficult to distinguish; the seals on both fake and real products are quite similar, but the seal on the real product has larger text. However, when purchasing, if you don’t have a sample of the real seal, it can be hard to tell apart.
Above, we have briefly shown you how to distinguish them. However, it can be difficult to tell when buying, so we have the following advice for you:
- Buy from reputable stores.
- Avoid purchasing from resellers or online.
- Research thoroughly, or download this article to help you distinguish when shopping.
(You get what you pay for!)
Tag: Aqua Plants Hub
Aqua Plants Hub Editorial
