29G substrate question

I recently purchased CaribSea Eco-Complete planted aquarium substrate but I only purchased 1 20lb bag. Do I need to purchase a second or will my gravel make up the difference? I'm really not wanting to wait for it to be shipped but I also don't want to have to add it later if the one bag isn't enough to maintain a planted tank.

 

The gravel should make up the difference

 

You can add as many Eco-Complete substrate as you want. However, the substrate is not really that good when you want to do a planted aquarium.

 

You can add as many Eco-Complete substrate as you want. However, the substrate is not really that good when you want to do a planted aquarium.

Was I given a bad recommendation for substrate?

 

Was I given a bad recommendation for substrate?

I love my ecocomplete for my planted tank. My plants are thriving.
What CrispiI might mean is that tour other gravel might not be good for your plants?

 

Was I given a bad recommendation for substrate?

Eco-complete is by far my favorite planted substrate, it just doesn’t work well for carpeting plants. Remember, just because it’s a planted tank substrate, you shouldn’t get lazy with dosing ferts- they’re still important. A lot of people think that you fam get away with not using ferts with eco-complete, and then they get upset when their tank doesn’t work out. I’m not sure about Crispii’s reason, but I’m sure he’s got a good reason to not like it that I haven’t seen yet.
Personally, I use 2 pounds of eco-complete per gallon of water, and 3 pounds for tanks with a larger footprint than usual- like a 20 long.

 

I love my ecocomplete for my planted tank. My plants are thriving.
What CrispiI might mean is that tour other gravel might not be good for your plants?

My plants are currently in a gravel and are doing ok but I'd like to see more from them. I'm hoping that by adding this substrate I can get them to really thrive.

Remember, just because it’s a planted tank substrate, you shouldn’t get lazy with dosing ferts- they’re still important.

I agree 100%!

 

Was I given a bad recommendation for substrate?

It's inert. If you want best results in growing plants, then you should use aqua soil such as ADA, Fluval Stratum, or Tropica.

 

It's inert. If you want best results in growing plants, then you should use aqua soil such as ADA, Fluval Stratum, or Tropica.

Yes it’s inert. It gives off good minerals for plants and tank. Also it’s a good growing media.
All media at some point will become inert or useless as the Nutrients are used up. Think that you need to repot house plants or add fertilizer to your garden. Same holds true with soil in an aquarium.
Eco complete to me is easy to deal with and you can dose fertilizer easily. I places regular sand below mine the ecocomplete on top. My plants are growing like crazy.