How Long Can You Leave Substrate Unplanted

[Duardo]

So I recently bought a bag of Eco-Complete, and I was planning on putting it in my 10 gal., but I am still waiting on my plants and the substrate will be unplanted. I was wondering if I can leave the substrate like that or would I have problems. I know you can't keep it in water because algae will form, But I can't keep it dry because it comes with a liquid that supposedly contains beneficial bacteria. So I was wondering how can I deal with it? I also already opened the bag to put some in another aquarium so there's that.

 

[DutchAquarium]

You can put it in the aquarium with no problems.

 

[FreshestFreshwater]

Lol your fussing over nothing. Just leave in your tank with water, all the nutrients will always remain in the substrate until you plants start using it. I have never heard of algae problems with sitting eco complete.

 

[Duardo]

Lol thanks you guys, I saw a youtube video warning about that stuff so I got nervous. I appreciate it! Now I can cycle the tank lol. I hope it cycles quickly since this supposedly has BB but I also have a filter that was running in another aquarium and some gravel I am going to place in there as well so it should be all good.

 

[KeeperOfASilentWorld]

You can put it in there no problem. Do not turn the lights on and do large water changes of over %50 at least every 2 or 3 days.

 

[Duardo]

You can put it in there no problem. Do not turn the lights on and do large water changes of over %50 at least every 2 or 3 days.

Oh I heard to not do water chnages for the first week, but I guess that's if you have plants which I don't yet. I'm afraid to move my plants into this tank as it has no light other than the sun lol.

 

[-Mak-]

Oh I heard to not do water chnages for the first week, but I guess that's if you have plants which I don't yet. I'm afraid to move my plants into this tank as it has no light other than the sun lol.

Changing 50% every day or every other day during the first couple weeks is the best way to prevent algae from the start (besides balanced lighting, ferts, CO2).