Eco Complete

[biondoa]

In the beginning of April I set up my 75g using Eco Complete. So far, I could not be happier. The water is crystal, the fish are happy and the plants are beautiful. I have heard that this substrate does break down. Is this the case, and if so, how long does it take and what does one do when it happens? How long does it take to happen? I have 2 other tanks, one with plain gravel and one with fluorite. The Eco Complete tank is the most rewarding, but already I am worrying about breakdown. Any info from other users would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Alison

 

[tanker]

I have Eco in one of my tanks. Been a few years now, no break-down that I know of.

 

[Neatfish]

Its going to be years.

 

[Rbishop]

Ditto...while it isn't the best thing out there if you are madly into plants, it will last ages for the common planted tank.

 

[biondoa]

Great! Thanks.

 

[FreshyFresh]

That's the thing... How does one really know when all the beneficial properties are depleted from 'fortified' substrates? Especially if you're adding ferts, CO2, etc.. Once a tank has some miles on it, you've also got all sorts of nice organic material breaking down in the substrate and providing nutrients to root feeders.

 

[Duckie]

It is no different than potting mix for non-aquatic plants. If you never feed your plants, then the plants will deplete your potting mix faster. With feeding it will take much longer to "empty" the potting mix. Kind of like a buffer since the ferts are usually meant to be dosed to the plants needs or slightly lower, not to enrich the soil.