Akadama and organic; akadama covering

Hi.  I have a mix of akadama and organic (I don't think pine is part of it); I was thinking this was a good mix,  as the akadama is supposed to provide aeration.  I also have akadama covering the soil, both because it looks good and weighs down the soil to prevent runoff when watering.   I was thinking since akadama is absorbent,  that I could measure the amount of water in the soil by the size of the liquid pooling in the tray. 

Akadama has the highest cationic exchange capacity of any soils that are used for bonsai. I don't really understand the question, but if I understand it you are saying that the water will pool on the surface. It most definitely should not. If it is then the drainage is poor and needs to be addressed. From the look of this plant it needs repotting properly, 
I either use straight Akadama or a mix with pumice 50/50

Hi-- thanks for the reply.  The question I have is it bad to have a top layer of akadama,  as it is absorbent and I do not want the water and fertilizer to get absorbed; the liquid needs to get in the soil and stay there for the tree.   I was thinking that I could see if the water and fertilizer were going to the soil,  and not being simply absorbed by the akadama on the top layer,  by judging from the size of the liquid pool in the tray.  Another thing,  I was told from another website that a soil mix of organic and inorganic could be bad; I thought the mix was supposed to be good-- the akadama providing aeration.   About the repotting--I did that this Spring,  but if you recommend it,  I will repot again this Spring; I have the akadama.   What else should I use for the Ficus microcarpa?

Hi.  Here are more pictures of leaves. 

Water pooling from the drainage holes,  so I figure as long as water is soaking into soil and draining through holes,  the fact that absorbent akadama is on top of the soil is okay. 

In my opinion discussing pros and cons of different soils is wrong focus. Bonsai is about styling. The horticultural side of it is obviously important. But soil is just a very small part of it. You can succeed with many different mixes. As long as the mix you use suits for your care and climate it is fine.

I have serveral trees in different soil. As long as I understand how to care for each of them, it all works. But good care differs more by climate than species. Even indoor. So joint a club lokalhyra and learn from people that grow trees locally. You will find that they rather discuss styling.