ECO-COMPLETE OR FLOURITE???

dundadundun said:
you could mix them, but they will separate into layers eventually. larger grains always make it to the top due to smaller ones falling between the cracks. in this case, the larger grains are lighter too.

if you want a good plant substrate with plenty of ferts, use natural (organic) planting materials and cap that with something heavy and smooth. aqua soil grows plants like crazy, too.

other options are to layer root tabs and such right into the substrate of choice. a good cec and fe content don't exactly count as "soil" in my book. even under water...

there are plenty of things that can be used as caps. you pretty much have your choice of natural colors if you know what you're looking for. lapis lustre might be available to you beings you're on the west coast. then you've got fluorite sand, estes sand, aquarium gravel, eco, tms, pool filter sand, play sand, etc., ...

you could also use kitty litter (just make sure the ingredients list is clay... period... just clay...), oil-dry, coco-fibers, worm castings, leaf litter, etc. for or to amend your soil to your liking.

if you are going to use something with actual fertilizer, you might want to consider mineralizing your soil before your inhabitants are introduced to it. this can be done in a separate container if you wish.

if i had to choose between the 3, (eco, fluorite and fluorite sand) i'd say loaches would appreciate the sand better most likely, but eco shouldn't be an issue either.

that's my story and i'm sticking to it. :D
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For my bottom feeders, I plan on having loaches, corydoras, plecos, ottos, and maybe some SAE's.

So would it be okay if I put 1/2 inch of aqua soil and then covered that with 2.5-3.5 inches of flourite sand?


thanks
 
I also have one question for sand. When I siphon OR use a python, will I have to hold the siphon above the sand so that I won't suck up the sand, or can I push/dig around in the sand while cleaning without sucking out any sand?

thanks
 
i would use aqua soil on it's own if i used it. beware... aqua soil is light.

over 3" in your deep spots is excessive. less soil is less anaerobic pockets.

you may have to. expect to have to add more sand eventually if you use it. some folks use stockings, media bags and such as filters for their siphons. that may help.
 
Does eco-complete make sand?
 
TheFishBoss97 said:
I also have one question for sand. When I siphon OR use a python, will I have to hold the siphon above the sand so that I won't suck up the sand, or can I push/dig around in the sand while cleaning without sucking out any sand?

thanks
Click to expand...

The Flourite sand is very dust-like, I never use a Python with mine but still lose a tiny bit each water change. No deep vacuuming just swirl above it to get the "stuff" up. (Eco & pool sand I can vac) I tried capping it with some Estes marine sand but it doesn't help much.
I only have shrimp on it but keep a sponge over the filter intake to keep them & the sand out. I wrecked an impellor with pool sand & busy histrionica loaches.
(Eco, Eco, Echo!)
 
+1 on the soil, I make mineralized soil and cap it with 3M color quartz. Plants love it. 3M isn't available anymore, I've recently used black flourite, it does the trick. Oh, and Tanker, your tank is soooo purdy!
 
using a soil capped with something else is really only good if you plan on keeping the same setup for a long time correct? as you cannot really be moving things around once planted...

I am always changing my tank looks at the moment, so just straight eco-complete in my tank will be enough? or will it be necessary for root tabs and all that expensive stuff?
 
Done correctly (cutting roots instead of pulling them out) you can rescape. It does get a tad murky when doing a rescape, but it clears w/in a few hours.
 
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