ECO-COMPLETE OR FLOURITE???

I actually have pictures of the twoside by side..not that you can tell a huge difference, but as mentioned if one thing came to mind it's that flourite tends to be smaller, sharper edged particles while the eco complete tends to be rounder. There are varying sizes of "particualte" with the Eco with the idea being over time it settles into two layers, I just can't recall which from the lable but I think it's the larger pebles on top with the finer grains settling lower, but check the label. Without the technical promises, differences are mainly pepple shape.

AS for colour, I've always been a fan of black, but it's personal choice
 
I have other pictures of the 2 side by side in the tank but I don'tthink I put them on the computer (mostly because the difference side by side doesn't photograph as well as seeing it with the naked eye) but here are a few shots that will give you an idea.

this is the Flourite
IMG_0829.JPGIMG_0828.JPG

While this is the Eco Complete
IMG_0830.JPGIMG_0826.JPG

IMG_0829.JPG IMG_0830.JPG IMG_0826.JPG IMG_0828.JPG
 
Eco complete has a brand new red version. I am setting up a tank with it today. I think I am one of the first to have it. I am going to docuement it, photograph it on my blog. Eco complete is finer in size than Flourite, but the biggest difference is Eco complete needs NO RINSING and will not cloud your water. It is also packed with live bacteria in water. The biggest complaint about Flourite for years has been how incredibly dusty it is and how it clouds your water for hours, sometimes days. Eco complete makes your water crystal clear from the start.

I will post some photos.
 
But does anyone know if it is true that eco-complete gravel is lighter than flourite, and that it is easier to plant in flourite than eco-complete. Many people in their reviews said this on websites on which you could buy eco-complete. They said that the plants would float out easily especially while planting or when larger fish root around.

To me, right now I might just get a mix of the two, but I am still wondering on whether to get sand or gravel.

Gravel looks more natural, but not that soft on catfish barbels.
Sand looks less natural, but is soft on catfish barbels.

IF I got a mix of the 2 (flourite sand & flourite gravel) would it look good, or bad?

I will probably order all supplies for my 72G bowfront by the end of this month(march), and have the tank up and running with fish by the beginning of May.
 
Now one for Flourite! I have both, and I prefer Flourite by far. I have Flourite Black Sand in a 15g and a 10g, and Flourite Red & Flourite Regular mixed for my 75g; Eco-Complete I have in a 15g and a 10g. Flourite Black Sand looks good and is extremely heavy; Very good for planting. My Eco-Complete's pebbles are a lot lighter, and while still good for planting, they don't hold as well until rooted.

By far my biggest hatred for the Eco-Complete is that java moss and mats of algae will grow and connect strands to the stones, giving you the choice of a half hour of picking for two tablespoons of black rocks, or throwing it out, unless you enjoy mats of algae. No such problems in the flourite tanks; The mats of algae tend to hover over them, and more often not take root at all. Flourite FTW!

-Bryce

Edit: I find because of how fine it is, Flourite looks noticeably blacker than Eco-Complete. Might just be my opinion, or eyesight.
 
Okay so I need some advice from you guys.
Well, the current substrate that I have in my tank is not really working out for 2 reasons.
1. The plants are not really growing in it, they are not really dying but they are not living up to their potential. And I know that my lights are fine because I have just upgraded them.
2. The fish poop doesn't really get absorbed and it kinda just floats on the top and it is really annoying because it just collects on the surface.

So, I was thinking of switching to eco complete but the problem is I really don't know how to do that. I have an established 36 gallon tank right now (5-6 months). And i want to change it to eco because I have a couple of loaches in the tank.

So does anyone have any advice on how to do this?
And do I need to put anything under the eco or can I just put in the eco by itself?
I was thinking of changing half of the old substrate for the new substrate and then wait like 2-3 weeks and then change the other half out.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Here is my tank. (the blue striped cichlid and the tetras are now out of the tank btw)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNYnxEpCe5E
 
Last edited:
SecondCity said:
Okay so I need some advice from you guys.
Well, the current substrate that I have in my tank is not really working out for 2 reasons.
1. The plants are not really growing in it, they are not really dying but they are not living up to their potential. And I know that my lights are fine because I have just upgraded them.
2. The fish poop doesn't really get absorbed and it kinda just floats on the top and it is really annoying because it just collects on the surface.

So, I was thinking of switching to eco complete but the problem is I really don't know how to do that. I have an established 36 gallon tank right now (5-6 months). And i want to change it to eco because I have a couple of loaches in the tank.

So does anyone have any advice on how to do this?
And do I need to put anything under the eco or can I just put in the eco by itself?
I was thinking of changing half of the old substrate for the new substrate and then wait like 2-3 weeks and then change the other half out.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Here is my tank. (the blue striped cichlid and the tetras are now out of the tank btw)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNYnxEpCe5E
Click to expand...

If you have loaches, then eco-complete will not be better than flourite because many of the reviews online on eco-complete say that it is too light and plants will easily float out.
Since you have loaches, when they dig around, the plants are going to float out often.

I am probably getting flourite sand.
 
But I thought that eco was better for fish with soft underbellies? Is flourite sand safe for the loaches?
 
I had a 9" dojo loach in a tank with eco complete, plants were fine...even new plants.
 
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