Mell Can I mix eco-complete with gravel?
Registered. You can mix it if you like but the eco-complete will settle to the bottom, underneath the gravel. Eventually you will have all gravel on top which sometimes makes plants harder to keep in the substrate.
Can I mix eco-complete with sand?
You certainly can mix eco-complete with sand but over time all the sand will settle to the bottom and completely separate from the eco complete. I use and like eco complete on its own in most of my tanks. I would let it stand on its own. Save your cash on the eco complete get a bag of pond soil cap it with your sand .
How deep should a planted tank substrate be?
No matter the plant, no matter the tank size, have a substrate layer that is at least 2 inches deep. This will allow for your rooting plants to sufficiently grow. Also, when planning out your scape, try to create the illusion of depth by increasing the depth of the substrate towards the back of your tank.
What type of substrate is best for aquarium plants?
Aquarium soil, such as UNS Controsoil or Aquario NEO Soil, is typically a clay-based substrate full of nutrients that excel plant growth. It is the best substrate for aquarium plants and a must-have for a high-tech planted tank.
How long does eco-complete substrate last?
These substrates haven’t been around long enough to tell for sure, but from early indications, they might have a lifespan of over 100 years. As long as the water column has some nutrients, plants will do fine without root tabs and sticks.
Do I need root tabs with eco-complete?
Definitely, IMO root tabs are a must with eco-complete.
Can you mix substrates?
Only substrates with the same grain size can be mixed. Mixing differing grain sizes will create a substance so compressed it will be like a layer of concrete. It is, however, still possible to use sand and a coarser substrate together.
Can you use eco complete substrate in a fish tank?
This substrate can be used with an undergravel filter. If you’ve ever run an undergravel filter on your tank before though, you probably know that having your fish dig down to the very filter plate can disturb the biological filtration capabilities of the filter.
What are the different types of eco complete substrate?
There are two different product lines: Eco-Complete Cichlid and Eco-Complete Planted. As you can imagine, the former is specifically designed for cichlid tanks and the latter is formulated for planted aquariums. Throughout this article, we are going to review them both.
How much substrate do I need for an eco complete cichlid?
The typical advice that is given for the Eco-Complete Cichlid substrate is to have 1 pound of substrate per gallon of aquarium water. Each bag contains 20 pounds of substrate, so calculating how much you need is quite simple when following this rule.
Why do you need nitrate in eco complete fish tank?
Depending on your system, the bacteria colony may still need to grow and spread throughout your tank before it’s able to convert the amount ammonia that your tank produces into nitrate to keep your fish safe and plants healthy. Most users of Eco-Complete have found this addition by CaribSea to speed up their cycling time significantly.