Eco Complete ECE

[sailblue5]

So I am making the jump in to the world of substrates. I will be soon making a 55 or 75 gal planted tank and want to use a better substrate than the normal gravel I have used in the past. I am considering kitty litter (I am leaning towards the kitty litter becuase of the cost difference) or eco-complete. It seems to me that the ECE of the substrate is important and was wondering how the eco-complete compares with the kitty litter with respect to the ECE? any ideas? thanks

Michael

[Wö£fëñxXx]

Michael

Eco Complete all the way, if you can get some mulm to place under it, pour EC over it, gently fill tank half way, fill with plants, fish etc. finish filling and enjoy

[sailblue5]

Originally Posted by Wö£fëñxXx

Michael

Eco Complete all the way, if you can get some mulm to place under it, pour EC over it, gently fill tank half way, fill with plants, fish etc. finish filling and enjoy

How deep should I have the Eco complete also? for 3 in deep it seems like it will cost me more than the tank, $160 for 8 bags for a 75 gal tank? DO I need that much, maybe gravel on the bottom to give the plants room to grow but 1 in of eco complte to give the plants the nutrients it needs on top?

[John P.]

Originally Posted by sailblue5

How deep should I have the Eco complete also? for 3 in deep it seems like it will cost me more than the tank, $160 for 8 bags for a 75 gal tank? DO I need that much, maybe gravel on the bottom to give the plants room to grow but 1 in of eco complte to give the plants the nutrients it needs on top?

Go here to determine how much you'll need:
http://www.plantedtank.net/calculators.html

Aim for 2.5" in front to 3" in rear (or whatever floats your boat).

[sailblue5]

Originally Posted by John P.

Go here to determine how much you'll need:
http://www.plantedtank.net/calculators.html

Aim for 2.5" in front to 3" in rear (or whatever floats your boat).

That is what I used to determine the 160# which would be approx $150 to $160 which is more thanthe tank. I know the substrate is important but it seems that kitty litter also works well for people. so I haven't determined what to do yet, does anyone know how the ECE of the average kitty litter and eco-complte differ?

Thanks
Michael

[eds]

I have no experience with eco-complete.
Is there a reason you could not mix eco with black gravel?
Would the eco settle out similar to sand?
Perhaps you could use both a standard sized and a finer gravel to combat any tendency to settle.
I know it would not be "as good" as pure eco, but you would still get much of the benefit and it seems the cost savings could appeal to some folk.
Also, some gravel might make planting easier for those folk who claim to have problems w/ pure eco.
Just a thought.
Let me know why it's a crazy one!

[malkore]

Since plant roots go deeper than 1", you wouldn't want your 1" of eco on top...more on the bottom.
And if you don't use at least 50% eco complete in the mix, it'll be too diluted to be very effective and just be a waste of money.

eco contains 2 sizes of granuale so it naturally settles into 2 layers which is ideal for the plants.

[sailblue5]

Malkore
Your tank has eco-complete right? how come it doesn't look black but more of a black white mix?
Thanks

Michael

[malkore]

Only my 20gallon has eco-complete, which is about 99% black granales, with an occasional white one (u really don't notice it).
my 75 gallon has flourite.
I'll get my 20gallon tank photo linked to my sig so you can see it.