Substrate Nutrient ??

dwayne

dwayne

AC Members
Jul 12, 2001
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Hola!

I have an odd question that I bet has never been asked before ...

I'm thinking of buying some new substrate for my tank -- don't know what type yet, but am leaning towards eco-complete or flourite. My understanding is that these substrates provide nutrients for rooted plants, and eliminates the need for additional nutrient dosing. BUT does the substrate ever 'run out' of the nutrients? Like carbon loses it's effectiveness, does the substrate?

TIA!!!
~Tara
 
They both do, yes.
I've been using Flourite for years with no 'in-substrate' nutrients, and it works as well as ever. Can't speak for Eco-complete.
Some people use tabs in any substrate. I've never found a need for them. Any 'root feeders' I've grown, have done well in the Flourite alone with basic water table fertilization.

Len
 
Len, once the nutrients are gone, then what is the benefit of having flourite over regular mid sized gravel pellet?
 
Waste Cycling is better with a porous substrate like flourite. So waste are broken down fast and turned into plant food.
The main nutrients are trace metals that flourite provides. These will take decades to run "out".

But your question to the basic idea is that substrates will run out unless you add something back in there, typically this is fish waste etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
Aha, makes total sense, thank you!!
Any opinions on flourite vs eco-complete or another type?

:)
~Tara
 
I like eco-complete because I'm lazy, it doesn't require rinsing since it comes pre-soaked. I also like the black color of eco-complete, its darker than onyx sand.
 
As far plant growth they are fairly equal, I like Flourite/onyx, the stuff weighes more and make replanting easier. I don't care to pay for water. Rinsing is a 5 minute job, you only rinse 3x or else use screen. Then add mulm and a little ground peat, top with EC or F/O and your done.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
Agree completely.......I rinse Flourite one time through a 5gal. paint strainer over a 5 gal. bucket. The rest goes into the tank over top of a dusting of peat moss.
The secret to reducing clouding is the way the tank is filled. All the particles will sift down into the bottom over time and be useful.
Besides, the stuff is expensive.:) Why rinse it into the lawn?
I think the difference between the two substrates under discussion is in the eye of the beholder. They are pretty equal otherwise.

Len
 
Flourite is clay and mainly provides oxidized iron. Eco complete is some type of clay or soil and is claimed by the manufacturer to provide every trace mineral used by plants, not only iron. Flourite produces endless dust that will cloud the water until it settles, no matter how much you rinse it. Ecco Complete doses not cloud the water normaly with no rinsing. It is also packaged with live bacteria and tannins.
 
I would not let "dust" from Flourite, or Onyx Sand from SeaChem be a deciding factor on substrate. A few rinses in a five gallon bucket gets rid of excess dust -- the benefits outweigh any left over 'powder' it has....

As far as "root tabs," you can cut them in smaller pieces and then put them under the plants. Sometimes the whole root tab will not disperse as much as it seems like it should.... I recommend root tabs for extra fertilization. But, too many/much could be a future problem.

HTH - somebody.. :)
 
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