[substrate Choice] Eco-complete: A Cap For Fluval?

HI all,
Currently, I have a 10 G planted tank pretty heavily planted and Beamswork LED and all that stuff but no CO2, I'm planning to set up a new 29 G tank now. I have already ordered Fluval 17.6 pound bag and that seems not enough for my tank. I currently use a 20-pound eco-complete on my 10G and I find it not working that well as my plants are loosely rooted. I'm thinking is it possible to add Eco-Complete as a cap for Fluval or should I just get another bag of Fluval for my Tank? As budget is really concerning me since I've already spent over 40 bucks on that bag of Fluval and it just seems to me that it is not enough for a 29G. Any suggestions? What do you guys get for a successful planted tank?

 

I'd get more Fluval Stratum, personally. I did not like using EcoComplete at work, not a good plant substrate and all it did was trap waste and grow hair algae.

 

I’m no help here but. I’ll be starting a planted tank soon. So I’ll just be reading the comments to find the best substrate

I’m read n seen videos of fluval bringing the PH down
And eco complete don’t

It’s intresting to hear opinions from people who use it

 

I’m no help here but. I’ll be starting a planted tank soon. So I’ll just be reading the comments to find the best substrate

I’m read n seen videos of fluval bringing the PH down
And eco complete don’t

It’s intresting to hear opinions from people who use it

Aquasoils like Stratum, Amazonia and Controsoil will strip the KH and acidify the water, pulling down the pH and softening the water. Each brand will do this to varying degrees. This is desirable with things like Caridina shrimp or fish that prefer soft, acidic water such as cardinal tetras, freshwater angels, and ram cichlids. The effect is finite and eventually the substrate will lose it's capacity to lower pH and KH.

Aquasoils, however, are loaded with nutrients that feed plants for a long time, and also are a great medium for different types of microorganisms and bacteria. Densely planted, you will never have to vacuum your substrate.

That said, most tropical fish and plants will do fine and actually prefer slightly acidic water. Your exceptions will be African cichlids, livebearers such as guppies or mollies, crayfish, and other fish species that hail from harder, more alkaline waters.

 

If anything, i’d use the eco complete as a base layer for the stratum.

 

Aquasoils like Stratum, Amazonia and Controsoil will strip the KH and acidify the water, pulling down the pH and softening the water. Each brand will do this to varying degrees. This is desirable with things like Caridina shrimp or fish that prefer soft, acidic water such as cardinal tetras, freshwater angels, and ram cichlids. The effect is finite and eventually the substrate will lose it's capacity to lower pH and KH.

Aquasoils, however, are loaded with nutrients that feed plants for a long time, and also are a great medium for different types of microorganisms and bacteria. Densely planted, you will never have to vacuum your substrate.

That said, most tropical fish and plants will do fine and actually prefer slightly acidic water. Your exceptions will be African cichlids, livebearers such as guppies or mollies, crayfish, and other fish species that hail from harder, more alkaline waters.

Thanks, Fahn! I'm currently using Eco-Complete, heavily planted, with guppies and I have to say they don't work well. My plants don't root well and the nutrients are just not enough while hair grasses are like a total disease. I lost all of my hair grasses as they never root themselves well in eco-complete with their large chunk of bricks. The downside of Stratum is that its quite expensive. If my calculation serves me right, to fill my new 29G, it would cost me two bags of 17.6 pound of Fluval Stratum which would be almost a hundred bucks
I have already ordered one bag and I'm still thinking what to put next to fill that up, the list of my reserach comes with sand, eco-complete and some other methods but I'm still thinking.

If anything, i’d use the eco complete as a base layer for the stratum.

I heard it's easy for Stratum to break into small mesh, is that common? What did you get for your tank tho, I'm still trying to figure out an optimized way. Eco-Complete didn't work thast well in my 10 gallon tho

 

I heard it's easy for Stratum to break into small mesh, is that common? What did you get for your tank tho, I'm still trying to figure out an optimized way. Eco-Complete didn't work thast well in my 10 gallon tho

I use eco complete in my tank. It works as a substrate for me. Looks like you have bad hair algae, probably why your DHG didn’t grow, plus it’s more demanding than certain plants.

I think every aqua soil eventually breaks down, so yeah it’s common.

 

I use eco complete in my tank. It works as a substrate for me. Looks like you have bad hair algae, probably why your DHG didn’t grow, plus it’s more demanding than certain plants.

I think every aqua soil eventually breaks down, so yeah it’s common.

Yeah, I'm soooo frustrated. That's why I'm upgrading this tank and everything. There's just no way to kill these thing, Excel, Siamese Algae Eaters, Amano Shrimps, I've tried everything

 

RubberSoul that sounds terribly expensive, I can get over 20lbs of the stuff on Amazon for $54 and free two day shipping. Aquasoils are pricey but if you're serious about keeping shrimp or a well-planted tank then they are worth the money tbh.

With planted tanks, the startup cost tends to be high. However, by utilizing a nutrient-rich active substrate and a heavy plantload, you greatly reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance later on.

 

RubberSoul that sounds terribly expensive, I can get over 20lbs of the stuff on Amazon for $54 and free two day shipping. Aquasoils are pricey but if you're serious about keeping shrimp or a well-planted tank then they are worth the money tbh.

With planted tanks, the startup cost tends to be high. However, by utilizing a nutrient-rich active substrate and a heavy plantload, you greatly reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance later on.

Sounds good, I've bought a bag of 17 lbs from Chewy, I'm not so sure about the need for a 29G, would it be 1 lb/gallon? I'm not so sure tho.. I think I need to get some more indeed...

 

Sounds good, I've bought a bag of 17 lbs from Chewy, I'm not so sure about the need for a 29G, would it be 1 lb/gallon? I'm not so sure tho.. I think I need to get some more indeed...

You're going to end up using around 40 pounds to get an inch and a half of coverage.

 

Aquasoils like Stratum, Amazonia and Controsoil will strip the KH and acidify the water, pulling down the pH and softening the water. Each brand will do this to varying degrees. This is desirable with things like Caridina shrimp or fish that prefer soft, acidic water such as cardinal tetras, freshwater angels, and ram cichlids. The effect is finite and eventually the substrate will lose it's capacity to lower pH and KH.

Aquasoils, however, are loaded with nutrients that feed plants for a long time, and also are a great medium for different types of microorganisms and bacteria. Densely planted, you will never have to vacuum your substrate.

Sorry sorry- specifically, are you saying that with the aquasoils you specifically mentioned (stratum, amazonia, and controsoil) when they are densely planted, no vacuuming need occur?
I'm not questioning your knowledge- I'm confirming which aquasoil to try! I currently have fluval stratum capped with small gravel in non planted areas. I would *love* to support an aquarium that doesn't need vacuuming over time lol.
Also, should I cap or use something as a base layer for my planted layers?

Thanks Fahn (and everyone else lol!)

 

Sorry sorry- specifically, are you saying that with the aquasoils you specifically mentioned (stratum, amazonia, and controsoil) when they are densely planted, no vacuuming need occur?
I'm not questioning your knowledge- I'm confirming which aquasoil to try! I currently have fluval stratum capped with small gravel in non planted areas. I would *love* to support an aquarium that doesn't need vacuuming over time lol.

Thanks Fahn (and everyone else lol!)

Any aquasoil, if densely planted, requires no vacuuming.

 

Sorry sorry- specifically, are you saying that with the aquasoils you specifically mentioned (stratum, amazonia, and controsoil) when they are densely planted, no vacuuming need occur?
I'm not questioning your knowledge- I'm confirming which aquasoil to try! I currently have fluval stratum capped with small gravel in non planted areas. I would *love* to support an aquarium that doesn't need vacuuming over time lol.
Also, should I cap or use something as a base layer for my planted layers?

Thanks Fahn (and everyone else lol!)

Not only do you not vacuum, you can’t vacuum because it’s soil and would break down and cloud the water. However it’s a good idea to wave your hand or siphon around above the substrate and plants to kick up any debris into the water, and just remove that. Excess organics attract algae

 

Not only do you not vacuum, you can’t vacuum because it’s soil and would break down and cloud the water. However it’s a good idea to wave your hand or siphon around above the substrate and plants to kick up any debris into the water, and just remove that. Excess organics attract algae

I've vacuumed around stratum and never had issues. I don't routinely vacuum substrate though so maybe it's different. I've also noticed 0 ph or kh lowering with stratum. This may be due to the volume of my tank and the massive amount of kh I already have though.