Sand over Eco-Complete - bad idea?

YourPalCM · 06-03-2004, 03:21 AM

I am going to be setting up a 46g tank in a few weeks and was going to use 2" of Eco-Complete below 1-1/2" of Pool Filter Sand. I mentioned this to my LFS, and they recommended against it, saying that I will have problems with poor gas exchange. They said that without a heating cable to force circulation through the substrate, that the substrate will become anoxic and form hydrogen sulfide which will kill the plants.

The strongly recommended just using 100% Eco-Complete.

Any comments? Agree? Disagree?

Wö£fëñxXx · 06-03-2004, 03:31 AM

My question would be.. why in the world would you want to cover EC with pool sand? EC is great all by it's self.. I would just use sand if that be the case.. so I would have to agree with your LFS

malkore · 06-03-2004, 03:36 PM

I agree with the LFS. Eco complete is the shiznit...why ruin it with pool filter sand?
If you like the look of white sand, then don't get the eco complete,and use all sand, and root tabs to make up for sand not containing any nutrients.

John P. · 06-03-2004, 04:12 PM

Sand will end up under the Eco after a while b/c of settling.

06-03-2004, 03:21 AM	#1
YourPalCM Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading, Pennsylvania Posts: 47	Sand over Eco-Complete - bad idea? I am going to be setting up a 46g tank in a few weeks and was going to use 2" of Eco-Complete below 1-1/2" of Pool Filter Sand. I mentioned this to my LFS, and they recommended against it, saying that I will have problems with poor gas exchange. They said that without a heating cable to force circulation through the substrate, that the substrate will become anoxic and form hydrogen sulfide which will kill the plants. The strongly recommended just using 100% Eco-Complete. Any comments? Agree? Disagree?

06-03-2004, 03:31 AM	#2
Wö£fëñxXx Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (125/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,037	My question would be.. why in the world would you want to cover EC with pool sand? EC is great all by it's self.. I would just use sand if that be the case.. so I would have to agree with your LFS __________________ *Craig* Last edited by Wö£fëñxXx; 06-03-2004 at 06:37 AM..

06-03-2004, 03:36 PM	#3
malkore Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 2,165	I agree with the LFS. Eco complete is the shiznit...why ruin it with pool filter sand? If you like the look of white sand, then don't get the eco complete,and use all sand, and root tabs to make up for sand not containing any nutrients. __________________ Malkore Filstar XP2 PIMP #3 Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved

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06-03-2004, 04:12 PM	#4
John P. Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Posts: 1,321	Sand will end up under the Eco after a while b/c of settling.