Substrate

[zak15]

I'm have a 29 gallon aqurium with a 130 watt compact fluorescent light fixture. I've had the tank over a year now and now I'm trying to plant it. I want it to be a south american theme. I have regular gravel in it as substrate and was wondering if I should take all this gravel out and replace it with something like Eco-Complete or flourite or if I could get away with mixing a bag of this in without taking the regular gravel out?

 

[Bk718]

I was going to add some eco complete to my tank which already has black gravel, I was going to do a 50/50 so that way i dont go through a cycle again.

 

[Draal5]

You can just add eco-complete it will not cloud the water florite will no mater how much you wash it.

Be very careful when disturbing the existing gravel to much disturbing will trigger a cycle or worse depending on how clean you keep it.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

it might cause a mini cycle..... though i have switched it out on a couple tanks and seen no spikes.....

 

[zak15]

Also, how many 20 lb bags would it take to cover the bottom to be a sufficient depth for plants? Thanks Very Much

 

[Mgamer20o0]

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

 

[Icom]

I might mix Eco with black tahitian moon sand..not sure if I want to take out the sand or not may look pretty good mixed..I have a couple bags of eco coming

I think you want 2.5"-3" deep for a good plant root hold