Eco Complete Black For New 29 Gallon

I'm new to this forum so I apologize if this post is in the wrong place I tried to find the correct spot and hopefully I did. Anyways I am upgrading from 10 gallon cherry shrimp planted tank to a 29 gallon I just bought. My question is: I'm on a budget and am wondering if Eco Complete black would be a viable option, is it good for most plants that get nutrients from soil instead of the water column? I have fluval stratum in my 10 but it is so light; planting is a pain. I plan to add CPDs and possibly dwarf emerald rasboras to this tank, would the Eco complete be good for them as well. I have searched and searched and haven't been able to find an answer specific to my question, thank you.

 

I used Eco Complete in my 29, switched to sand, and honestly I don't think there's much of a difference in how the plants grow. I used root tabs with both. So if you're on a budget, I think I'd just get some cheap sand instead of the Eco Complete

 

I used Eco Complete in my 29, switched to sand, and honestly I don't think there's much of a difference in how the plants grow. I used root tabs with both. So if you're on a budget, I think I'd just get some cheap sand instead of the Eco Complete

Thank you, I want the substrate to be black (that way my shrimp stay as red as possible) is there a specific brand of sand you would reccomend

 

Thank you, I want the substrate to be black (that way my shrimp stay as red as possible) is there a specific brand of sand you would reccomend

A lot of people on here use black blasting sand that you can just pick up about anywhere and it's pretty cheap. I think places like Lowes or Home Depot have it

 

Awesome, thank you so much

 

I used eco complete in my 90 and would not recommend it. In my shrimp tank I have white sand and the only thing I find is some plants just don’t stay in it. They float out. What I’ve had the best luck with is just the regular gravel and root tabs. In my 30 the plants are growing great in it.

 

I used eco complete in my 90 and would not recommend it. In my shrimp tank I have white sand and the only thing I find is some plants just don’t stay in it. They float out. What I’ve had the best luck with is just the regular gravel and root tabs. In my 30 the plants are growing great in it.

How do you decide root tab placement, would you put one down in a central area or one under each bunch of plants?

 

I used eco complete in my 90 and would not recommend it. In my shrimp tank I have white sand and the only thing I find is some plants just don’t stay in it. They float out. What I’ve had the best luck with is just the regular gravel and root tabs. In my 30 the plants are growing great in it.

Really? All my plants stay in my sand, even ludwigia and hornwort which didn't have roots.

How do you decide root tab placement, would you put one down in a central area or one under each bunch of plants?

Usually they will tell you how many you need, I use Seachem's, it says something like 1 root tab for a 4-6" radius or something like that.

 

Really? All my plants stay in my sand, even ludwigia and hornwort which didn't have roots.


Usually they will tell you how many you need, I use Seachem's, it says something like 1 root tab for a 4-6" radius or something like that.

Thank you

 

I put the root tabs under the plant. Most plants just come out.

 

I have a 29 gal planted tank. I use Eco-complete with root tabs and only use liquid fert once a week. And supposedly the liq fert I use isn't even a good one so I'm assuming the eco complete is doing most of the work. Besides lighting of course. And ALL of my plants are doing very well. So I'd say go ahead and use eco complete.

 

I have a 29 gal planted tank. I use Eco-complete with root tabs and only use liquid fert once a week. And supposedly the liq fert I use isn't even a good one so I'm assuming the eco complete is doing most of the work. Besides lighting of course. And ALL of my plants are doing very well. So I'd say go ahead and use eco complete.

Thank you, I feel like maybe I should split the tank half and half lol

A lot of people on here use black blasting sand that you can just pick up about anywhere and it's pretty cheap. I think places like Lowes or Home Depot have it

Does the grit of the blasting sand matter I don't want it to be too rough on the shrimp or cpds

 

Does the grit of the blasting sand matter I don't want it to be too rough on the shrimp or cpds

I wouldn't think so. I'm assuming it's just the size of the sand grains? I would think any of it would be smaller than the Eco-Complete

 

I wouldn't think so. I'm assuming it's just the size of the sand grains? I would think any of it would be smaller than the Eco-Complete

Thank you , I just don't want to hurt any of them

 

Thank you, I feel like maybe I should split the tank half and half lol

That wouldn't be a bad idea. I was real close to doing half eco and half brown sand kus I wanted an island theme and save a few bucks. I think the eco only comes in 20lbs bags so it's perfect for doing half and half on 29 gal tank.

Thank you , I just don't want to hurt any of them

I don't have any shrimp and not sure what cpds are but I have a couple cory's that people are always concerned about when choosing gravel. They're my starter fish and have been in the tank for 2 months. Both are doing perfectly fine and no damage to them at all. They're actually growing faster and beefier than the rest of my stock. And I keep I close eye on them because of that concern. Lately it hasn't been a huge concern but I still check up on them. So again.. go for it!

 

I don't have any shrimp and not sure what cpds are but I have a couple cory's that people are always concerned about when choosing gravel. They're my starter fish and have been in the tank for 2 months. Both are doing perfectly fine and no damage to them at all. They're actually growing faster and beefier than the rest of my stock. And I keep I close eye on them because of that concern. Lately it hasn't been a huge concern but I still check up on them. So again.. go for it!

Thank you, Cpds are celestial pearl danios

 

Ok with the eco complete I have it for about 8-9 months now and again it’s in a 90gal and that may make a difference. When I started up the tank plant growth was great. Seemed like everything was growing. But the longer it’s been in there the less growth. 3 months in I started using root tabs to boost the plants and that was working. But now I’m getting the dreaded green slI'm that eco complete users have complained about. Sorry but I see no benefit in using it. Will be redoing this tank in the winter.
But on another point I also have Cory’s and they are fine with the eco.

 

Ok with the eco complete I have it for about 8-9 months now and again it’s in a 90gal and that may make a difference. When I started up the tank plant growth was great. Seemed like everything was growing. But the longer it’s been in there the less growth. 3 months in I started using root tabs to boost the plants and that was working. But now I’m getting the dreaded green slI'm that eco complete users have complained about. Sorry but I see no benefit in using it. Will be redoing this tank in the winter.
But on another point I also have Cory’s and they are fine with the eco.

Thanks for this info. Has anyone confirmed what causes these green slime? How to prevent it?

 

I'm liking the blasting sand look

 

There's a reason why so many of us use the blasting sand. Cost is one of them.

 

Looks great, I plan to replace my black gravel on my 120g, that might be an option.

You will probably need some root tabs under that staurogene repens (if that's what it is). It grows deep roots.

 

You can buy a whole lot of root tabs for the cost difference between Black Diamond and a Black substrate sold at pet stores.

 

That looks really good compared to the eco. I might top mine off with that. And it does look too fine to where it’ll make its way done the bottom. Thank you for this. I’m almost certain imma top mine off with it.

 

Looks great, I plan to replace my black gravel on my 120g, that might be an option.

You will probably need some root tabs under that staurogene repens (if that's what it is). It grows deep roots.

I have one every 2 inches where each plant is

That looks really good compared to the eco. I might top mine off with that. And it does look too fine to where it’ll make its way done the bottom. Thank you for this. I’m almost certain imma top mine off with it.

Glad I could help it also has these tiny little green glass pieces that look like little peridot gems when the light hits it just right

 

Oops I meant to say it does not look small fine to make its way down the bottom which was the reason I didn’t top it off with sand. So I just go Home Depot and ask for blasting sand? What brand is that one?

****IT DOES NOT LOOK SMALL ENOUGH TO MAKE ITS WAY DOWN****

Lol. It’s Monday, bare with me.

 

Oops I meant to say it does not look small fine to make its way down the bottom which was the reason I didn’t top it off with sand. So I just go Home Depot and ask for blasting sand? What brand is that one?

No they don't carry it, go to tractor supply and ask for black diamond blasting sand 20-40 grit

No they don't carry it, go to tractor supply and ask for black diamond blasting sand 20-40 grit

Looks like this and is around 8.50$ per 50lbs

 

That’s super cheap! And perfect timing as I just picked up a 60 gal w/stand for $25. Had a lot of water stains but got most of it out.