[malANDmatt]

Hey all! I'm going to go ahead and get a second tank for fish and will probably go the 40B route. I've only ever used eco-complete and have never used a soil under. Advice on the best route for this would be great. I'm planning on planting the tank and having fish. The soil idea scares me honestly. Thanks.

 

[d33pVI]

Do you not like the eco-complete? Personally I don't think there is a big difference between the many different substrates used in planted tanks. They all have their pros and cons. You can find successful examples used for just about any type of substrate. Pick something that looks good to you and go for it.

 

[malANDmatt]

I love my eco-complete. Is it not necessary to use a soil under the eco-complete?

 

[d33pVI]

While there may be some benefits to adding soil beneath the substrate, it is certainly not required. There are also plenty of drawbacks to using dirt. Eco-complete is sold "pre-charged" with some nutrients for plants and may require the addition of root tabs after some time. I've found that I prefer finer sand substrates for ease of planting, but I've use eco in the past and found it to be adequate.

 

[brightRGB]

Indeed any substrate will work. Sachem Fluorite is also good. Some people may not like black color for substrate.

 

[malANDmatt]

Thank you all. I used fluorite awhile ago and if I remember it was very tedious to rinse. Not sure if I'm thinking of the same thing or not.

 

[Chubbi]

Go ada, or ada and eco mixed together to save some. I don't think You'll regret it.

 

[gregorylampron]

Thank you all. I used fluorite awhile ago and if I remember it was very tedious to rinse. Not sure if I'm thinking of the same thing or not.

Flourite! follow your heart for whatever you want to use, but most should avoid flourite unless, as you said, they are ready for a cloudy mess sometimes. This is the cloudy mess I always have for a few days after setup. Usually Flourite and play sand as substrate.

Personally, I have found that eco complete is tough to work with because it is close to inert.
Ada is best.

 

[Delapool]

I did find fluorite very cloudy although it cleared up in a few days. I was sure if rinsing is good or bad? I guess it removes fines so water is less cloudy but less fines for plants as well?

 

[gregorylampron]

That is exactly correct. I don't rinse because it is coated in ferts basically

Sent from my GT-P5113 using Tapatalk

 

[Delapool]

Sounds kind of a catch22. Some kind of substrate high in fines but not cloudy? I've tried API laterite clay with similar results. Going to soil would worry me as well.