Newbie needs help with substrate.

[Biohazards]

Okay, so thanks to the help of various members of this forum I got a light fixture that's 130W for my 75 Gallon tank (this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9871&N=2004+113345)

I've been told that this well be a good start for live plants. I plan on starting with the "newbie" friendly plants, however may have a few more advanced ones mixed in (nothing super fancy) Should I use Eco-complete (http://www.petsandponds.com/securestore/c273923p16742063.2.html) as the substrate so I don't have to replace it in the long run? Well it harm certain fish in any way? I guess what I am asking is, is the difference in gravel and eco-complete large. As far as I can tell, the only diffrence is the Eco-complete well help the plants much more. Would I need CO2?

I'm doing a fresh water tank by the way.

I thank you all again for your patience and help :grinyes:

[Nolapete]

Check the shipping. Most places charge ridiculous amounts for shipping. Drsfosterandsmith.com doesn't. That's where I bought mine from. 5 bags of Eco Complete and my replacement AC500 motors and other parts was only 16.99 to ship.

[Nolapete]

with less than 2wpg, you won't need co2. Eco Complete is enriched to provide plants stuff they need to grow. Regular gravel is inert, Eco Complete isn't.

[GirlieGirl8521]

Eco Complete is excellent for plants. :) Its really nice looking too and if you plant to have plants, then I'd go ahead and get it as opposed to regular gravel. And Eco won't hurt the fish at all.

With that light, you won't necessarily have to have CO2, but it always helps. And with a 75g, you would be looking at pressurized CO2, but that choice will be up to you as to whether you want it or not.

Depending on what plants you get and how densely you plant the tank, you'll still need fertilizers in the water column. Having Eco Complete alone doesn't cover everything. I'd atleast dose Potassium and a micro nutrient like Plantex CSM+B or Flourish.

[Biohazards]

Thanks. I know I'll need fertilizers as well, but just wanted to clear up a few things about eco-complete (I've read good things on flourish) I figured I could get away without the need for CO2 (for the time being anyways), just making sure on that. :)

And I have seen some laughable shipping rates on this stuff Nolapete, unfortualty I live in Canada, so Drsfosterandsmith.com won't help any :(

It looks like I'll be going Eco-complete then. Thanks again everyone.

P.S: How many pounds do you think I'll need for a 75 Gallon? From what I read, I need 3 inches of it on the bottom... (sold in 20 pound bags) Thanks yet again :)

[Rex Grigg]

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

That will tell you how much Eco you need.

It's possible to ship 18 lbs of fertilizers to Canada for $23. That amount of bulk dry nutrients would keep you going for about 5 years. But you can also head down to most any hydroponics store and get bulk dry nutrients.

[Mgamer20o0]

cool link rex.