Plant Substrate

[TonyN]

I'd like to get some opinions on substrate. I'm setting up a new 40 gallon breeder, which I plan to have heavily planted.
I'm looking at Flourite, Eco-Complete, or Onyx Sand. I would prefer to have a black substrate, simply because I like the look, but I would go with Flourite if it is better for plants. Also if I could get away from all that rinsing with Flourite, that would be good too. But again If Flourite is better than the other two, I will live with the rinsing.
So what do you think. Oh, and how much do you think I would need? The bottom of the tank is 18" x 36", and I'd like between two and three inches deep.

Thanks,

[tpl*co]

It's nice, just put it in the aquarium, no rinsing and it's black. They say it already has bacteria in it but I wonder, how can the bacteria live in a closed bag out in who knows what type of temperatures the bag was subjected to? The substrate is wet (has liquid in it). I had an established tank that I just put pockets of the stuff in the back of the tank and my normal gravel in the front. mine is around a 50 gallon and after filling a pot for my grow out tank and putting a good amount in my 50 I still had about a 1/4 of a bag left. I think you should be fine with 2 bags. It isn't cheap though, I got mine at the lfs for about $25 a bag. Check with bigalsonline they have good prices. I was going to buy one of the other substrates you mentioned but you have to rinse (like crazy) and it was only $5 cheaper than the ecco complete.

[tpl*co]

My plants turned dark green when I planted them in the ecco complete, so they must be happy :).

[chkltcow]

I just setup a 20g long with Flourite AND Onyx Sand. The Flourite is on the bottom with a thick layer of Onyx sand on top. Both of them required lots and lots and lots and lots of rinsing, and even then it didn't seem to matter. Oynx Sand is a SERIOUS pain about dust in the water :( With a 20g long, a bag of Onyx sand, and a 250gph HOT Magnum filter, alternating between the regular cartridge and the "polishing" cartridge... it took about 36 hours to clear up. But, the plants seem to grow well in it, even with the poor lighting that's on it now.... and it looks nice. It's not really black, more of a dark grey... but I prefer that personally.

Having it to do over again, I would go with the Eco Complete. Save yourself the headaches and time of rinsing that stuff, and remember that whatever you've heard about Flourite..... Onyx Sand is worse! :)

[tpl*co]

I liked the "no rinsing" feature of the ecco complete, and it truely is no rinsing. I scooped it straight from the bag to my tank, no problems.

[TonyN]

Well, from what I've heard so far, it looks like I'll be going with Eco-Complete. I can get it from Big Al's for 17.99 for 20 lbs, plus shipping. Does it have all the iron and minerals like Flourite?

[tpl*co]

I also think it has other trace minerals like sulfur and such too (don't have the bag in front of me) I just know that my plants looked really happy, and I have just regular stock hood lights and no co2 either :)

[superjohnny]

20# potting soil $5
25# gravel $4
Shipping & handling $0
Enough substrate for a heck of a lot of tanks... $9
Me when I realized this was possible and I didn't have to use Onyx sand or Flourite... :thud:

[125gJoe]

We didn't have the problems mentioned with rinsing Onyx Sand. It does take some rinsing, but it wasn't that big of a problem. We used a 5 gallon bucket to rinse it and then let it set for awhile in the aquarium. The left over powder was easily filtered out. We chose Onyx Sand over Flourite since we wanted the look of Onyx Sand. Flourite is more of a brownish color and also looks good and realistic for a natural looking substrate. The best thing about the two products is they are great for live plants and there's no messy laterite to cover up with gravel that can potentially be disturbed from vacuuming and causing a cloudy water column. Flourite and/or Onyx Sand, after much reseach, proved the best way to go for us.....

Check out the 2 produsct at SeaChem.com :cool:

[chkltcow]

Joe: do you have problems with yours "turning over" and getting the flourite on top when you're planting or cleaning? It seems like every time I disturb the bottom for planting or whatever, I end up with chunks of orange flourite on top. It also kicks up a whole new round of dust every time I do it :(

But you're right... it DOES look nice :)

[125gJoe]

Joe: do you have problems with yours "turning over" and getting the flourite on top when you're planting or cleaning? ...

The two products are basically the same and very good for live plants. Just wondering, why did you put Flourite under Onyx Sand?

For me, I used them separately...

Some prefer laterite (clay-like), then putting gravel on top of laterite to keep it down and not in the water column. I chose not to use laterite due to the possibility of "turning over" the laterite.. SeaChem's Flourite and Onyx Sand simplify things by not having to mess with the potential of disturbing the laterite.

[chkltcow]

The two products are basically the same and very good for live plants. Just wondering, why did you put Flourite under Onyx Sand?

For me, I used them separately...

Some prefer laterite (clay-like), then putting gravel on top of laterite to keep it down and not in the water column. I chose not to use laterite due to the possibility of "turning over" the laterite.. SeaChem's Flourite and Onyx Sand simplify things by not having to mess with the potential of disturbing the laterite.

I had part of a bag of Onyx sand already and I bought flourite for a new 20g I set up. I wasn't too fond of the way the flourite looked, so I put the Onyx sand I had over top of it. I thought the flourite was more "for the plants" and the Onyx Sand was more "for looks"... too.

[125gJoe]

I had part of a bag of Onyx sand already and I bought flourite for a new 20g I set up. I wasn't too fond of the way the flourite looked, so I put the Onyx sand I had over top of it. I thought the flourite was more "for the plants" and the Onyx Sand was more "for looks"... too.
Both Flourite and Onyx Sand from SeaChem are supposed to be equally benenficial to live plants.

I'm really torn between the two products as to which one looks better. I have Onyx Sand in the 125 gallon now, but I'm sure the Flourite would look great too -- maybe even more of a natural look..


Oh, and I have not used "Eco-Complete", but it sounds like a good product.

[RTR]

I prefer the look of Flourite more than Onyx Sand myself, but that is pure personal preference. The Eco-Complete is much darker, and I have seen some really good-looking tanks using it. If I wanted an essentially black substrate, it would be first choice.

I agree that a single-material substrate is much easier to work on - if you do much replanting (many stems), give that careful thought before going for a layered substrate. Layering has a relatively short lifespan IME, and I don't do much plant resetting.

[JoeB]

Just had something to add - I use flourite and have corys. I have since read sand is better because it doesnt grind down their whiskers. No experience with ecco.

[plasma800]

annnnd... no further mention of the potting soil.. does that work?

[sjogren1]

Onyx Sand holds my plants better than Eco-Complete, but both are very good substrates. I never had problems with Onyx Sand and Cory barbels or with rinsing it - I rinse it lightly and just let it settle. I decided between the two by flipping a coin, but, as the coin landed on its edge, I use both in separate tanks. I have not used Flourite; I find it a bit too orange for my taste.

[johnnyxxl]

planning on a chiclid planted tank " was going to get shellies but not able to" I am going to try angels. Do they or clown loaches have a problem with substrate? The tank will be fairly well planted when done. May take a bit of time to get the plants as few shops keep much in stock.