dtree

Just started a new planted tank using the black, Activ-Flora substrate (http://www.activflora.com) that I purchased for under thirty dollars at Petco. This is a very, very fine-grained substrate that claims to have plenty of nutrients for plants to flourish. It closely resembles soil instead of sand or gravel. They also claim to be instant cycling.
I started a low-light, five gallon hex with high hopes of this product, but have yet to be impressed. When I added the water the tank clouded up, which was expected. However, the package claimed that this cloudiness would go away in about six hours. It took over a week. This was not merely a light haze either, this was pitch-black water.
Once everything settled, I noticed a very thin black film on just about every surface. After cleaning off the plants and the sides of the tank, a layer of this substrate still remained on the top of the water. I have since performed multiple water changes, yet this thin layer of substrate remains on the top.
As far as the instant-cycling properties this product claims to have, I can safely say that this is simply not true. I have had it in my tank for over a month and have yet to see any nitrates. I have since begun cycling it with a zebra danio and am treating it as an uncycled tank. I await results.
I think the product looks great. It is much finer than I had been hoping for, but it does look very natural. Perhaps if you use this as an under layer for your gravel substrate, you may be able to avoid some of the film around the tank.
Because of the fact that parts of this substrate are SUPER fine and float on the surface, I would not recommend this product.

alicem

Sheesh, what a hassle, that's too bad.
Thanks for letting us know.
It sure looks pretty on their website, doesn't it?

Dear Activ-Flora,


Yours truly,
dtree and alicem

ps, sorry mods, I couldn't resist.

aquarist48

Dtree thanks for creating your review! It's greatly appreciated.
Ken

Alicem...

pepetj

I use Activ-Flora (Floracor Black) in two of my tanks. I placed them in already mature tanks as I was upgrading the substrate. I doubt it would instantly cycle a tank, as I doubt from most products claiming that but use heterotrophic bacteria. The layer you found on top is likely to clear by itself in a few days. It's mainly organic matter that the biological process in your tank, as well as other filtration means, should take care of.

By the way, the plants I have there are doing as good as with Eco-Complete.

One of the reasons I recently ordered Azoo Plant Grower Bed, besides its price (12lbs for 30USD w/o shipping charges), is that it has no "instant cycling" claims on it. I strongly advocate for fishless cycling with ammonia solution. The beneficial bacteria we need in our tanks is for free all around us.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

dtree

An update...
I have since moved my danio to my other tank in order to cycle fishless.

As far as the Activ-Flora goes, it just leaves the fishkeeper in a pickle. Yes, the fine substrate EVENTUALLY settles from the top of the water (took three weeks for me), but by that time, you are completing water changes and are disturbing the substrate again. And thus the cycle continues...
Again, a pretty substrate...pretty annoying.

Carolina

I was planning to buy if for when I move to Florida. After reading this post have decided that I am going to stick with river sand. I have to sift it but it does not create any cloudiness. I didn't even rinse for grow out tank.

pepetj

Keep in mind natural river sand (I use it a lot, mixed with enriched substrate) will not provide nutrients for your plants.

I have no idea what went so wrong with dtree.

Any way, for newly set tank, get the tank in place, add the substrate, work with it as you place the plants and work your aquascaping. If you want to keep minimal cloudy water after you are done, either add the water at very low rate and better yet, use a plate as buffer for the incoming water.

I have a tank with deep substrate of organic soil (no chemicals added) as substrate. I worked on that tank for 3 to 4 monts wihout fish in it. I placed a thin layer of natural river sand on top as I get ready to mix in more. My Anubias species are thriving in this moderately lit environment, some are shooting leaves above water surface.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

A little warning on using this product It contains copper so allow the plants to settle in first before adding inverts, just in case.

Beth1965

I've been investing sunstrate for a NPT so this thread has been very very helpful.
Thank you.

Carolina

For substrate using Scotts top soil with cactus soil, organic charcoal and calcium sulfate. I just use the river sand to cap the substrate. I will probably be moving a couple of times before I get settled thus I was looking for a sand substrate that needed no prepping, since all gets mixed in when you take it out. Seems the only thing that will work is the river sand.

I am still debating weather or not to get Eco-complete to top the 29 gallon, for it will go to my mother's. I may or may not get the tank back. Eco-complete is know to lower the pH and acidity. Where I am in Ga the water is very soft with a high ph thus I can't use it for it was cause a crash.