Adding Eco-Complete Questions

snoopy65

snoopy65

I am Sam aka Snoopy65
Aug 24, 2008
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Where the ducks walk on the fish, PA
I want to add some Eco-complete to my existing substrate in my 30 gal. It is just gravel and river rocks. I realize that eventually the rocks will probably rise to the top and I am ok with that. I only have about 1 inch in there and it is very difficult to get ANY plants to stay put. The livestock I have in there are a breeding pair of angels (no eggs or fry at the moment), 2 zebra nerites, ?? ramshorns, & ?? MTS. Not sure if it matters but there is a Mag 350 and a cheapy 20 gal HOB on this tank.

My questions: Can I add this substrate without removing the angels & nerites? Like with a cup? How much do I add to make 2-3" total substrate? Will the cloudiness be bad for the fish / snails? How long should it be before it clears?

I am not sure what else you need to know to answer my questions so let me know if I need to provide more info.

Thanks for your help.
 
I just rescaped my 29 gallon and switched out all of the gravel for Eco-Complete. I ended up using about 2/3 of a bag (I think they're 20 pound bags) to get about 1.5 inches in front and 2 or so inches in the bank. Now that it's done and planted I wish I had just used the whole bag and made it a bit deeper but oh well... As far as cloudiness goes, I actually didn't have any cloudiness at all. I poured it in (didn't rinse 'cause it comes with beneficial stuff in the water it's packed in), added water and the water was still crystal clear. I don't think you'll have any issues adding it with a cup, though switching out the substrate completely wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be and would probably be more effective for the plants (and I prefer the look of the black substrate anyway). However, I have no experience with mixing substrates so I don't know how effective would or wouldn't be. Anyway, hope that helps!
 
If your existing gravel and the rocks are rather large. Chances are less that they will rise, unless of course you intensionally mix it.

What's the footprint?
30 Gallon 36 1/4 x12 5/8 x16 3/4
30 Breeder 36 3/16 x18 1/4 x12 15/16
30 X-High 24 1/4 x12 1/2 x24 3/4

I like a deep substrate for most of my tanks. I would get 2 bags, you not need all of the second one.
If you remove any of the old substrate, you may get a very small cycle.
The only cloudiness, if any will be the debris getting stirred up from the gravel.
That Magnum will clear that up in a couple minutes.

The fauna will be fine, please remove all inverts to avoid the risk of possible injury.
It's up to you if you want to remove the very small Ramshorn and MTS.
 
stussy28 said:
Sorry to hijack but I have a very similar question. I have some eco-complete in a 10 gallon and I'm upgrading to a 20. How do I go about putting the existing eco in the 20 gallon and adding more?
Click to expand...

Dump, pour, scoop,whatever will work for you. No need to rinse or clean.
Add some new stuff to get the desired depth.
 
stussy28 said:
Sorry to hijack but I have a very similar question. I have some eco-complete in a 10 gallon and I'm upgrading to a 20. How do I go about putting the existing eco in the 20 gallon and adding more?
Click to expand...

Fordtrannyman said:
Dump, pour, scoop,whatever will work for you. No need to rinse or clean.
Add some new stuff to get the desired depth.
Click to expand...

stussy28 said:
Thanks fordtrannyman. Will I need to wait for the new tank to cycle again if I do it this way?
Click to expand...

I would stir them together a bit and use the existing filter from the old tank.
You might get a little mini cycle. Adding plants right away will help with that.
 
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