View Full Version : Whatcha think of this substrate?
Becca3711
07-31-2007, 6:29 PM
I found this substrate on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/LIVE-AQUARIUM-FISH-AQUATIC-PLANTS-SUBSTRATE-GRAVEL_W0QQitemZ110153996706QQihZ001QQcategoryZ667 94QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
I am curious, the example photo looks black, this stuff looks grey in the close up photo. Im looking for something naturalish looking, because I HATE my silica sand, the light color gets dirty like you wouldn't believe! Will this stuff make my life easier as far as maintence when I have to do gravel vacs and such where it won't get sucked up like my stupid sand? Or do any of you have any suggestions/reccomendations for my medium planted 10g tank? Im asking b/c its free shipping! THANKS
GirlieGirl8521
07-31-2007, 7:12 PM
Thats interesting....and cheap. :) I've never seen it though.
My suggestion for a planted tank would be Eco Complete. Its black, but really makes the plants and fish stand out in a tank (I have it in 3 tanks) and looks really nice. Plus, it doesn't get dirty like the lighter color sand does. It will probably cost around $25 at a LFS, or you could order it from http://www.aquariumplants.com for about the same price (and free shipping). One bag would be enough for your tank (maybe a little too much).
jm1212
07-31-2007, 7:23 PM
ive never seen it before, but its pretty cool looking.
Well the site says the stuff is no longer available .
It does resemble Eco-complete, maybe a little lighter shade of grey, but I would imagine not as rich in minerals and nutrients but I could be wrong of course.
But you are still paying 18 bucks for 10 pounds of gravel/sand. You can get Ecocomplete for about the same price even when you factor in the shipping cost. And Eco is a proven great substrate.
snickle
07-31-2007, 9:49 PM
Looks pretty good. Personally I am not a big fan of nutrient rich substrates.
I use Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil in my plant tanks.
Mgamer20o0
08-01-2007, 12:16 AM
i use super cheap gravel from lowes no problems yet.
mellowvision
08-01-2007, 12:21 AM
it seems cheaper than eco complete... a bag for 10 gallons is 25 bucks round here.
I think I've seen that in planted tanks at the asian LFS nearby... it's grey, looks kind of faded... if it's the same stuff, the plants really seem to take root in it, when the guy pulls plants out, they usually bring a chunck of substrate with them like pulling normal plants out of packed soil. impressive. my sags are the same way in eco complete, but sags grow roots so fast...
loaches r cool
08-01-2007, 11:37 PM
It better be cheaper than Eco, Eco is the most expensive stuff I've seen. Even AquaSoil is cheaper and seems much better. That stuff on aquadise looks to be perhaps repackaged Soilmaster Select or Turface Pro League, like Aquariumplants.com brand substrate is. And I doubt its realy packed with nutrients, its just inert clay with perhaps a few trace metals and such, very similar to shultz I'd wager.
rwilliams254
08-02-2007, 9:56 AM
Buy some and let us know. :)
nquint1
08-02-2007, 10:01 PM
I would agree that it looks like repackaged Soilmaster select. If that's the case you can buy 50lbs of it for $20! You can get it from Lesco. They have a website: http://www.lesco.com (http://www.lesco.com/). See if there's a store near you. I use this stuff and think it's a great deal.
Becca3711
08-02-2007, 11:05 PM
Well, I ended up just getting some nice polished river looking gravel at the LFS.
magakitty
08-02-2007, 11:11 PM
I don't know about this stuff, but the black aragonite that we put in the SW tank looks somewhat grey in-situ, while it looked very black in the bag. But it still looks great!!!
Espada
08-02-2007, 11:45 PM
My suggestion for a planted tank would be Eco Complete. Its black, but really makes the plants and fish stand out in a tank (I have it in 3 tanks) and looks really nice.
I totally agree, it looks soooo much better and my plants love it, not to mention most fish; mine were like totally new fish when I swiched to this darker substrate, I've never seen them so relaxed and playful.