View Full Version : Fluorite or Eco-Complete?
Derringer
06-10-2008, 9:22 PM
I am preparing to change my 75g over to a planted tank ... which do you prefer between the two? Fluorite or Eco-Complete?
Pros / Cons?
I was thinking of getting some fluorite and mixing it about 50/50 with a small pebble.
rich311k
06-10-2008, 9:31 PM
I like eco, no rinsing tank is clear right away and I like the color of it.
I have Fluorite myself and I like it except for the initial cloudiness which lasted a few days. My plants are doing quite well in it with no ferts so far. No experience with Eco Complete.
msjinkzd
06-10-2008, 9:48 PM
I have both, i prefer the texture and color of Eco, both are good for the plants.
No rinsing required with the Eco. That's a nice upside.
NeonFlux
06-11-2008, 12:56 AM
eco-complete
0live
06-11-2008, 10:04 AM
I like eco.. It's easy. no rinse. plus, it just looks good.
I've got it solo in my 55, and have in mixed with a "natrual" gravel in my other tanks.
I couldn't really tell you which one I like more..
I HAD flourite once.. I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed.. before I finally gave up and gave it to my neighbor.
chesterthehero
06-11-2008, 10:15 AM
i love fluorite. i have 60 lbs of it in a 55. its not cost effective, but my plants absolutely love it and its gorgeous. (ive never actually seen eco complete.) me and my boyfriend rigged a screen out of doubled up window screen and some sort of air conditioning duct piece and ran hose water at high speed through it to clean it. it was still cloudy when i initially filled up the tank, but that was gone in about 24 hours.
Sploke
06-11-2008, 10:20 AM
I have red fluorite and black EC, I like them both. Fluorite just needs to be rinsed well, no problem. I didn't rinse the EC but my tank was cloudy for a day or two when I added it until it settled.
Derringer
06-11-2008, 10:43 AM
Seems like the consensus is that they will both do the job - and the biggest difference is aesthetics and a potential rinsing/cloudy issue with the fluorite.
I have read a site which describes a technique to eliminate that - hopefully it will at least minimize it. As soon as I receive my new lamp fixture I'll go pick some up.
Polish
06-11-2008, 11:10 AM
I have Eco in my 75g and 45g and some on order for my new 20g-L. I love the stuff, it looks good and can go right in without issue. Not to mention plants thrive in it and fish can root around in it with ease. Great product.
severum mama
06-11-2008, 11:33 AM
I don't have any experience with flourite, but I really like the ease of use of Eco, as well as the aesthetics. Before I switched my 10 gallon over to shelldwellers, I used Eco by itself, and I've had a 55 going for about 18 months with a mix of 40 lbs Eco and 20 lbs natural colored small gravel. I wasn't sure if I would like the mix at first but after I got it in the tank it really grew on me. :)
Fordtrannyman
06-11-2008, 11:37 AM
Seems like the consensus is that they will both do the job - and the biggest difference is aesthetics and a potential rinsing/cloudy issue with the fluorite.
I have read a site which describes a technique to eliminate that - hopefully it will at least minimize it. As soon as I receive my new lamp fixture I'll go pick some up.
Another thing with Flourite that I don't particularly care for is the inconsistency is grain size and the larger pieces are sharp/pointy.
I layered Eco, Red Flourite and Carbi Sea's Peace river in an 80gal.
Derringer
06-11-2008, 1:55 PM
Another thing with Flourite that I don't particularly care for is the inconsistency is grain size and the larger pieces are sharp/pointy.
I layered Eco, Red Flourite and Carbi Sea's Peace river in an 80gal.
Hmmmm that might be an issue with corys - wouldnt want real sharp edges in the substrate. I will have to check both out!
Hurley
06-11-2008, 2:14 PM
Eco-complete for me. I really like the color and I feel my plants stood out better against the black then the reddish/brown when I used it. Another option, which is actually what I use in my planted tanks is something called SoilMaster Select. Its around $20 for a 50lb bag, has the same consistancy as gravel, and has worked great for me. When you first add water its a little cloudy and has some air bubbles (I didn't rinse mine first). But that settled down quickly. Just another option out there.
I was just looking @ SMS yesterday.. I think the charcoal color has been discontinued.
NeonFlux
06-11-2008, 3:12 PM
I wish our economy completed its issues..
Ozymandias
06-11-2008, 8:58 PM
right i've used both and i must say i liked the eco but my main issue is that recently there has been a bad issue with the eco-complete. it is inconsistent coloring and the grain size is inconsistent.
the fluorite i do like also and the only disadvantage is that you need to wash it. also there is black fluorite and black sand fluorite witch i'm itching to try out.
also i find eco-complete to be more expensive then fluorite
fishorama
06-12-2008, 9:36 AM
I like eco but haven't tried reg flourite. I do have black sand flourite & it is too fine for me, dustlike more than sand. I think I'll try a layer of black sand or colorquartz on top.
meili.harrison
06-12-2008, 1:16 PM
I have a 29 gal tank that I want to go planted. Was thinking of 2 - 3 wpg light. Where do I get the substrate that you guys are refering to... i.e. Eco-Complete or Soilmaster Select?
I have a 29 gal tank that I want to go planted. Was thinking of 2 - 3 wpg light. Where do I get the substrate that you guys are refering to... i.e. Eco-Complete or Soilmaster Select?
At your local fish store.
Polish
06-12-2008, 1:50 PM
I order mine from Foster/Smith.
Ozymandias
06-12-2008, 3:10 PM
Eco is easy to come by in a pet store, but Soilmaster Select i believe (could b e mixing it up) is not actually made for fish tanks so you might have to go looking for it. you might also look into some alternatives if you don't want to dish out the cash for fluorite or eco. i've heard of people having some good luck with sholtzis aquatic gardening soil which can be found at home depo. there actually are quite a few option for planted tanks when it comes to substrate.
Hurley
06-12-2008, 5:43 PM
You can get soilmaster select from LESCO but you will have to visit their website to find a location near you. Also, call ahead and make sure they have it in stock (they had to order mine) and to see if they are even making the charcoal color anymore. Here's the website: http://www.lesco.com/?PageID=27&ItemNumber=083365
meili.harrison
06-12-2008, 7:50 PM
I tried a few pet stores after work just now, no luck on eco. I called a lfs, they have fluorite, but thats it. I will try the web then, I just hate dishing out $$ for shipping. I heard soilmaster select was a good alternative to eco & fluorite.
meili.harrison
06-12-2008, 8:17 PM
I found eco-complete in bigalsonline.com for $19.99 / bag of 20 lbs. Would I need 2 lbs?
Or should I just scrape the idea... go with regular pool filter sand, which I already have, and just use dry ferts? Would I still need the 2 - 3 wpg light? If I do it this way for low light plants, should I just go with 1.5 wpg? I mainly want some swords, sags or vals or hair grass, some mosses, and anubias.
fishorama
06-12-2008, 8:41 PM
Drsfoster&smith didn't charge "freight" just the regular S&H when I bought my Eco. I don't know if that's still the case, but for me it was ~$16/bag plus~$12 S&H vs $60 for 6 bags.
rich311k
06-12-2008, 8:45 PM
They did not charge heavy weight for mine either.
I have a 50%/50% split in my 75 gallon tank and I'd like to say that I'm doing good but, I have my doubts.
Marinemom
06-16-2008, 11:53 AM
I prefer the eco-complete over the flourite. It is so easy to use since you do not have to rinse it. It is ready to go straight from the bag. For me this is a big plus. I also like the way it looks in the tank more then the flourite. To me it just seems more natural looking and the plants love it not to mention that they really stand out with the dark color of the eco. My cories also like to dig around in it. I would strongly recommend the eco-complete over the flourite if you have a lot of bottom dwellers as well.
Marinemom
glenngreen
06-16-2008, 1:43 PM
I just replaced my sand with the flourite black gravel. I did 3 or 4 "stir and fills" in a bucket to wash it, then put it in my already-stocked tank. Water was clear within an hour or two. I like the look, and the particle size. Time will tell for the plants. The bottom dwellers are already poking around in it.
brendokae
06-29-2008, 6:23 AM
Azoo has a wonderful substrate which I think Looks better and Is more benificial than all these check it out.
brendokae
06-29-2008, 6:25 AM
Have any one had a look at the Azoo Products.
Ozymandias
06-29-2008, 12:05 PM
you have a link?
edit: never mind here are some link.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-61437.html
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/substrate/3001-azoo-substrate.html
I have a 50%/50% split in my 75 gallon tank and I'd like to say that I'm doing good but, I have my doubts.
The general concensus on mixing the products is?