I was just wondering if anyone on here has used AquariumPlants.com's substrate. It looks and sounds very similar to Eco-Complete and for a major fraction of the cost. Its $45 shipped is the way it appears on their website for a 5 gallon bucket full--equivalent to 6 bags of Eco they claim.

Thanks for any info as I am about to give it a try in a 60 gallon tank that I want to make dark and for discus.

I want to use a little bit of peat in the substate as well. Any suggestions on what brand/kind/where to get some peat.

Hi, it is said that this substrate is nothing more than Soilmaster Select/Turface Pro League. While I have not tried it, it is on my list of substrates to test. The Aquariumplants substrate has been discussed in these threads and you may find that useful.
https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ge...lants-com.html
https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/su...substrate.html

You could probably set it up in your tank the same way as soilmaster select. This is described by MatPat in this thread.
https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/su...substrate.html

I use it in my 55G tank and I use Eco in a 15G tank. AP's Substrate is smaller diameter and lighter density than Eco. Also, AP's Substate is not black like Eco - it's a grey color. I would skip the peat if you use AP. It lowers the ph and hardness of my water compared to the 15G with Eco.

I used the AP in my first 55 I set up and I used SMS in my 2nd. Both products are very similar from what I see. Both did affect my PH and KH. I just put a mesh filter bag with crushed coral in my XP2 and the problem was alleviated. I read somewhere that the affect would only last a month or so but can't confirm this since I still have the crushed coral in the filter. I like both products but the SMS was a fraction of the cost at 9.97 with tax. SMS is really hard to find now though. You can still find the red which is what I put in the 2nd tank. I actually like it better than the Charcoal. Not really very red.

If you go with the AP I have found the guys there to be very helpful. I bought my lights, and plants from them also. The plants were excellent.

I am using it in my newly set up 300 gal. Cant report much on it but the particle size and color are ideal

It's been about a year now since you said you are using aquariumplants.com substrate. Are you still happy with it?
Joe

I use this substrate. It seems to be fine, I've got a nice thick carpet of dwarf hairgrass. And my other plants are doing very well, so I guess it's doing what it's supposed to do. For a 75gal, it took me 1.5 buckets to get the desired depth. It has a charcoalish color, sort of like a really dark grey. I would say it's more black than grey, but not quite black. And It has some red bits in it. Not many, you only notice it because it's all black with this 1 tiny spec of red in the middle.

Just do yourself a big favor and rinse it really good. It has a lot of fine powdery particles. I dedicated an entire weekend to cleaning this stuff last spring.