Eco-Complete or ADA Aquasoil?

[Gafi]

Originally Posted by kribkeeper888

You dont need any more then 2" for those plants if you were planting large sword plants then you might want 3 inches otherwise you dont need it. And you could add powder just cuz i think it makes it look better.

So you think the Aquasoil and Powder would be sufficient? I hate to set this all up then realize I should have added the powersand haha

[Curt_914]

If it were me I would use some powersand It is in the system for a reason. It helps to keep the lower portion of the soil from becoming anarobic. it is acctually a pumice stone base and not really so much a sand. at least thats how I see it. In my next build I am going to use Aqua soil personally. I have florite black, eco complete, and floramax that I have all used in the past and sufficeive to say I have been dissapointed. If I would have just coughed up the extra 10 bucks a bag I would have been happier.

Curt

[Gafi]

Good discussion here....anyone know how many bags of the PowerSand i would need for a 48x18x24 tank? Looks like there is small, medium and large size granules...it also seems like I can only get the 2 litre bags of the large size at my location, any thoughts?

[Curt_914]

That size tank you will need the medium/large and probable need about 9-12L. You just need a thin layer on the botom of the tank just to cover the botom.

Curt

[Gafi]

my other question, is if I go with Eco-complete....how deep should the substrate bed be? 3"? 4"?

[kribkeeper888]

Originally Posted by Gafi

my other question, is if I go with Eco-complete....how deep should the substrate bed be? 3"? 4"?

for one dont go with eco complete. Its not all that much better honestly then sand. Amazonia or other ADA soils are amazing compared to. deff worth the cost. And again. you dont NEED 3" of substrate unless you have very large plants unless you like the deep substrate look.

Just realized it was a 90 gal which is the same as my 75 pretty much.I got 5 bags of amazonia thinking i would need them all but i ended up using 3.5 9L bags.

[Gafi]

Originally Posted by kribkeeper888

for one dont go with eco complete. Its not all that much better honestly then sand. Amazonia or other ADA soils are amazing compared to. deff worth the cost. And again. you dont NEED 3" of substrate unless you have very large plants unless you like the deep substrate look.

Just realized it was a 90 gal which is the same as my 75 pretty much.I got 5 bags of amazonia thinking i would need them all but i ended up using 3.5 9L bags.

you said earlier you used 1/3 inch of power sand for your 75....how many bags of PS was that? I can only order the large size in 2L bags....dont want to overbuy it as its like $35/bag

[kribkeeper888]

Originally Posted by Gafi

you said earlier you used 1/3 inch of power sand for your 75....how many bags of PS was that? I can only order the large size in 2L bags....dont want to overbuy it as its like $35/bag

I didnt use bags. I was able to get volcanic "power" sand for free. 3 bags might do it for ya.

[Gafi]

Originally Posted by kribkeeper888

I didnt use bags. I was able to get volcanic "power" sand for free. 3 bags might do it for ya.

ok good to know....do you need to add any additives to the power sand....I have heard of things like Tourmaline BC, Penac P for Plants etc

[kribkeeper888]

Originally Posted by Gafi

ok good to know....do you need to add any additives to the power sand....I have heard of things like Tourmaline BC, Penac P for Plants etc

You can, although bacteria will colonize ether way. Just slower.

[Gafi]

Does the Aquasoil pose a problem if one likes to rescape frequently? How long will it take for the ADA Aquasoil to break down? Is the new formula better than the old?

[anson]

Originally Posted by Gafi

you said earlier you used 1/3 inch of power sand for your 75....how many bags of PS was that? I can only order the large size in 2L bags....dont want to overbuy it as its like $35/bag

Where did you find power sand for $35?

[Minor Threat]

go for aquasoil. both are comparatively priced volume-wise. some users have reported ADA AS to last for 7+ years with EI.

[acitydweller]

Originally Posted by Gafi

Does the Aquasoil pose a problem if one likes to rescape frequently? How long will it take for the ADA Aquasoil to break down? Is the new formula better than the old?

You'll likely get varying answers here but this what I've come up with on my research thus far.

Any capped or layered substrate with sand would be best not to be frequently disturbed so going that route, you sort of want to leAve them where they are once planted for best results.

Breakdown for active soils tends to depend on varying factors, plant density, thickness of substrate, mat of water changes, volume of aquarium, livestock density, etc... Some say a year, while others have much longer life supplementing with root tabs. Not scientifically measured by accounts ive come across. Some planted hobbyists are also less demanding where others would notice deficiencies within days... So you have to take this into account for the range of use.

Do your research and don't go by unsubstantiated recommendations to do one versus the other. If cost is a factor, consider the walstad method. Equally as enjoyable to read about without a corporAte brand behind it. Enjoy

[reefboi16]

Dunno what the concern with flourite and eco-complete being to "light" is all about, I have never had an issue with rooting plants, any plants as a matter of a fact. They all stay down. I guess aquasoil is ok. Not saying anything against it because I have never used it, I am just saying that flourtie does just fine.