cant decide what substrate to buy

infin · 10-16-2003, 07:19 PM

ive decided to do %100 of one type of substrate, searched the fourms and got alot of information. Its between Flourite, and Eco complete. Anyone have close up pics or each? all the pictures that i found are of the tank far away. aslo are there any benifits beween them that will make one better in the long run? thanks!

IUnknown · 10-16-2003, 08:32 PM

I think black looks a lot better than clay color, so on looks eco-complete wins. I think its to early to tell nutrient wise which is better. I get more algae on the gravel with eco complete, I don't know if this is a good sign or bad. I pull up hair algae and the gravel size of eco complete is big enough that they all stick together in clumps. I had slightly better growth with flourite it seems, but my eco is still not as balanced as the flourite was so I can't compare accurately. If I balance things with eco it will be my favorite, but it is still to early to give a good answer. The gravel size also plays a big part. Eco is round and layers itself. It makes it easier to plant things since the larger gravel helps to keep things in place. But more crud builds up in the top layer and I don't know if that makes it a problem with algae.

Wasserpest · 10-16-2003, 09:51 PM

Some additional reading...

infin · 10-16-2003, 11:30 PM

does the onyx lack anything that is important? now i really cant decide onxy, eco, flourite :?

Rex Grigg · 10-17-2003, 01:53 AM

Be aware that the Onyx will buffer your water. It's something to think about. No substrate is a complete answer unless you are using dirt. With any of the high tech substrates you are still going to have to fertilize the plants. And no matter which one you go with be sure to put a fine layer of peat moss at the very bottom.

infin · 10-17-2003, 03:13 AM

what do you mean by buffer? isnt that good? or does it mean something else.

Rex Grigg · 10-17-2003, 12:43 PM

It will raise the kH and gH and possibly the pH depending on where your water starts out. Again this can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on where your initial water chemistry starts.

10-16-2003, 09:51 PM	#3
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,645	Some additional reading... __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
In need to an inexpensive substrate solution	aeternum23	Substrate	27	02-11-2010 07:44 PM
Sloping Substrate	Rolo	Substrate	6	08-18-2004 06:07 PM
Poop on substrate soil/rock/sand	mitchell2345	Substrate	9	08-10-2004 01:29 AM
New Substrate Over Existing Substrate	g8wayg8r	Substrate	3	12-24-2003 07:44 PM
Nutrients in Substrate	aquaphish	General Planted Tank Discussion	6	03-10-2003 01:48 PM

10-16-2003, 07:19 PM	#1
infin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sac, CA Posts: 173	ive decided to do %100 of one type of substrate, searched the fourms and got alot of information. Its between Flourite, and Eco complete. Anyone have close up pics or each? all the pictures that i found are of the tank far away. aslo are there any benifits beween them that will make one better in the long run? thanks!

10-16-2003, 08:32 PM	#2
IUnknown Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA Posts: 651	I think black looks a lot better than clay color, so on looks eco-complete wins. I think its to early to tell nutrient wise which is better. I get more algae on the gravel with eco complete, I don't know if this is a good sign or bad. I pull up hair algae and the gravel size of eco complete is big enough that they all stick together in clumps. I had slightly better growth with flourite it seems, but my eco is still not as balanced as the flourite was so I can't compare accurately. If I balance things with eco it will be my favorite, but it is still to early to give a good answer. The gravel size also plays a big part. Eco is round and layers itself. It makes it easier to plant things since the larger gravel helps to keep things in place. But more crud builds up in the top layer and I don't know if that makes it a problem with algae.

10-16-2003, 11:30 PM	#4
infin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sac, CA Posts: 173	does the onyx lack anything that is important? now i really cant decide onxy, eco, flourite :?

10-17-2003, 01:53 AM	#5
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	Be aware that the Onyx will buffer your water. It's something to think about. No substrate is a complete answer unless you are using dirt. With any of the high tech substrates you are still going to have to fertilize the plants. And no matter which one you go with be sure to put a fine layer of peat moss at the very bottom.

10-17-2003, 03:13 AM	#6
infin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sac, CA Posts: 173	what do you mean by buffer? isnt that good? or does it mean something else.

10-17-2003, 12:43 PM	#7
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	It will raise the kH and gH and possibly the pH depending on where your water starts out. Again this can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on where your initial water chemistry starts.