Adding Eco Complete?

megoto

AC Members
Mar 26, 2009
297
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16
Fort Lewis, WA
I would like to add some eco complete to my 75g to help with my plants and I like the look of it. My question is how many bags would I need? Here is a picture of my tank. Thank you!!

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Eco-C is black, do you plan on putting it over you gravel??

IMO---I would start over, Eco is very messy when adding to an existing tank.
 
I mixed black flourite and eco-complete (flourite on the bottom, eco on top) and I think I used 2.5-3 bags of eco-complete and 2 bags of flourite for my 75 gallon to get ~2-3 inches of substrate.
 
I didn't realy want to start over as I don't want to take the chance to loose the fish I have with another cycle starting. I was going to try and mix the Eco complete with the gravel I already have, but I guess if I have to start over it will be worth it in the end.
 
As long as your filter media stays established, you won't have to start completely over. :) you may run into a slight spike, but nothing you can't keep in check with more thorough testing and a couple extra water changes. :)
 
And plants will help "shorten" cycle.
 
I have never used Eco-C, but I just changed my 55g over from gravel to ColorQuartz (sand) a couple of weeks ago. I turned the filters off, drained about 50% of my water, and scooped out the gravel. I then added the ColorQuartz using a plastic cup to keep it from stirring up in the water. Once I had it like I wanted, I added my rocks and driftwood back, filled the tank back up, and let it sit for about 30 minutes to settle any floating sand. I did see a slight nitrite spike but after a water change and a couple of days my tank was stable again.
 
Eco-C is very different then any other substrate. It should not be wash, and is very cloudy when you put it in.
 
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