Do I use eco complete for substrate?

Hi all, I’m debating on using eco complete soil as my substrate in my next tank. The main reason is to lower my ph ( I believe this substrate should do this) so that an angelfish would be quite happy. I was also enjoying the benefits for plants that I would experience! I’m curious if other people believe it is a smart move to use it over an inert substrate? The tank is a 29*

 

Eco complete isn't a soil, its just crushed up lava rock. It will not lower your ph or raise it.

 

Eco complete is inert, it has a good CEC value but will not lower your ph. I used it in a 40 breeder and 2 20 gallon longs, I would go with a different substrate even for plants something like fluorite. If you want something that reduces the ph you will have to get one of the more expensive brands but even then will have to change it after a year or so for it to have same effect.

 

You need something like flora base pro this holds ph6.5

 

I have been using Eco Complete in my 4 tanks for years. All my tanks have a lot of plants in them.

My PH stays at 7.2, I have never changed the substrate or added to it. My biggest tank is a 125 and I have 3-4" of Eco topped with 1-1/2" of river rock.

 

I’m not a huge fan of eco complete. My biggest complaint is not that it’s expensive or just inert lava rock, I find it very difficult to plant in. And food/waste gets caught in it very easily, due to the size.IMO for a low tech planted tank sand or gravel is a better choice.
I will say eco complete is nice looking and will help your cycle. But it doesn’t give any nutrients to the plants, you will need liquid fertilizer and root tabs just as you would with gravel or sand.

 

If you have a spare 10 gallon laying around and want to play with it you can try an alternative substrate. SafeTSorb. You can find it at tractor supply for $7 in i think a 50lb bag maybe 40lbs i don't recall. Im currently running this. Its not for beginners at all. You have to condition/precharge the soil, add ferts etc and there are some good write ups out there. It has an excellent CEC value. Mine unfortunately is right out of the bag and in tank. It takes my tap water with a ph of 8.4 down to a constant 6.4-6.8 and it significantly strips the kh from 300 to the 70s. My fish are fine and have never appeared stressed. The 2 angelfish follow me around the tank begging for food all the time, the cherry barbs are actively laying eggs b4 the lights/timer went out moments ago. I just recommend if have a spare tank and can play with to see what it does.
Note: a steady ph is better than chasing one.

 

If you have a spare 10 gallon laying around and want to play with it you can try an alternative substrate. SafeTSorb. You can find it at tractor supply for $7 in i think a 50lb bag maybe 40lbs i don't recall. Im currently running this. Its not for beginners at all. You have to condition/precharge the soil, add ferts etc and there are some good write ups out there. It has an excellent CEC value. Mine unfortunately is right out of the bag and in tank. It takes my tap water with a ph of 8.4 down to a constant 6.4-6.8 and it significantly strips the kh from 300 to the 70s. My fish are fine and have never appeared stressed. The 2 angelfish follow me around the tank begging for food all the time, the cherry barbs are actively laying eggs b4 the lights/timer went out moments ago. I just recommend if have a spare tank and can play with to see what it does.
Note: a steady ph is better than chasing one.

I’m quite interested in this myself. What is your kh in degrees before and after using this Product? Does it’s effects deteriorate over time or does it continuously lower your kh and ph? Any effect on gh?

 

I’m quite interested in this myself. What is your kh in degrees before and after using this Product? Does it’s effects deteriorate over time or does it continuously lower your kh and ph? Any effect on gh?

I'll reply here for the OP as well.
This is still new to me so just passing what I know which is why I mentioned testing it. I have only been running it for maybe 3 months now. My original research including other forums and youtube indicates that it will eventually balance out. Ive read that some find the balance in several months and 1 poster stated theirs is still absorbing kh 1 year later. Some individuals use/dose baking soda to stabilize the desired ph,im guessing close to their original tap. My ph is so high at 8.4 it can stand some reduction. The kh is reduced from 300ppm to 75ppm, theres charts out there on Google that can change the ppm to degrees.
The SafeTSorb does not affect my GH at all by testing. I have soft water and the level has not changed.

I would recommend the pre-charging for the most stability. Again I am testing this substrate myself and have only done so because of watching YouTube videos from Bentley Pascoe. I can only state my experiences so far but figured it would be worth mentioning.

 

I'll reply here for the OP as well.
This is still new to me so just passing what I know which is why I mentioned testing it. I have only been running it for maybe 3 months now. My original research including other forums and youtube indicates that it will eventually balance out. Ive read that some find the balance in several months and 1 poster stated theirs is still absorbing kh 1 year later. Some individuals use/dose baking soda to stabilize the desired ph,im guessing close to their original tap. My ph is so high at 8.4 it can stand some reduction. The kh is reduced from 300ppm to 75ppm, theres charts out there on Google that can change the ppm to degrees.
The SafeTSorb does not affect my GH at all by testing. I have soft water and the level has not changed.

I would recommend the pre-charging for the most stability. Again I am testing this substrate myself and have only done so because of watching YouTube videos from Bentley Pascoe. I can only state my experiences so far but figured it would be worth mentioning.

That’s very interesting, thanks for the info. Sorry to hijack the thread OP