Changing Substrate...eco complete?

[jmhart]

So, I have a couple of question:

Here in the next month or so I'm looking into getting a bigger tank. At that same time I plan to change my substrate. From what I've read, eco-complete will be my personal substrate of choice, however...

Could someone post a pic of their tank with nothing but eco complete(I mean not other substrate)? I interested in seeing the size of the substrate itself. Is is big? Is it fine? How dark is it(I'm interested in black, dark black). If it's of a medium size, are their any other black, plant-friendly, substrates that are of a fine dimension?

Currently I have some blue and black pet store substrate. I'm interested in ditching the blue, going all black, but my fiancee is dead set on us keeping the blue color. I'm interested to know what thoughts people have on mixing eco complete with other substrate. I know it can be done, but I'm intersted in the aesthetics of it. Also, if I lose the battle(which, since we're getting married in two months I believe I will) what brand/source would be good for a blue substrate to mix with eco-complete?

Thanks.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

from google

 

[jmhart]

Thanks. Definitely looks like a good size and black color.

 

[Nolapete]

It ranges from fine granules to coarse. It's very nice stuff. I mixed mine with some inert "crushed pecan shell" gravel (it only looks like crushed pecan shells) and I really like the mix of black and dark browns/reds together.

 

[phanmc]

Eco-Complete is as black as it gets for a plant substrate. There are a few charcoal gray colored ones but not comparable to the black of Eco. The grain size is variable, ranging from almost sand grain to pea sized with a few large chunks occasionally getting in. Over time the smaller grain will sift to the bottom with the larger grain on top.

 

[jmhart]

With the eco-complete, does it "wear out"? A year(or even 3) from now am I going to have to change it all out because it's losts its activity? I suppose I can google it, but a gis will probably just bring me right back here.

 

[Quartermain]

Here is a photo of Eco in my 40 gallon. There are a few bits of regular gravel dotted around in there from when I replanted the tank. 99.999% Eco though..

This tank is only a year old so I can't really say if Eco ever wears out. Also I use plant tabs regardless of the substrate I'm using.

 

[phanmc]

The main thing about Eco-complete is the high CEC (cation exchange capacity), which basically means they can absorb positive ions (which most of our ferts are) from the water and keep them where the plant roots have access to. This never wears out so Eco doesn't truly wear out either.

 

[gmh]

Quartermain's pic is great.Eco-complete is not really black but is as dark a substrate as you are likely to find that supports plants and is not simply colored gravel.
I use it in my 20 gallon planted tank and love it.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

phanmc is right it never wears out.