Why Eco Complete Doesn't Work for Some People!!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Can't believe you guys are still watching this video! If you are new to my channel hit the SUBSCRIBE button and join The Planted Tank Community TODAY!!!

[@Hankxiong]

The Planted Tank its a great video! Literally explained everything i needed to know

[@MrGrombie]

Good information never goes bad. Just gets updated. Lol

[@himlolo]

I needed to know

[@hansols1727]

😂 “It already comes with no nutritional value” cracked me up lol. For me that’s a plus no need for high ammonia spikes or nutrients leaking or rinsing and worrying about nutrients being taken away. Adding root tabs and fertz is not a problem

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Careful though it does raise ph quite a bit! 🙏😅 they sell a mat that is supposed to go below it but they are hard to find. It’s supposed to help keep the ph neutral

[@willshandroski3462]

Thank you so much for giving such a detailed video about Eco-complete! I just put it in my 20 gallon last week but I was extremely worried with all the mixed opinions about it, this video has eased my worries a lot and I'm looking forward for my plants to grow in it.

[@alexchan4037]

How is your 20 gallon with Eco-Complete now? I am also going to set up a new 20 gallon tank for cherry shrimp and plants and had been research a lot about substrate. Came down to Fluval Stratum and Eco-Complete. EC is cheaper so I want to give that a try.

[@willshandroski3462]

@@alexchan4037 It's going pretty well actually, not all plants have worked, but amazon sword, dwarf sagittaria, and java moss are doing good on the substrate! Bacopa carolina rotted on the bottem and their now thriving as floating plants. Many plants have grown all over my sponge filter and my female betta has turned it into her base lol. My dwarf corydoras actually enjoy the eco complete, which surprises me considering I heard that it was too sharp for them only a couple months ago, but they all have their whiskers. I also 3 amono shrimp (the female amono is HUGE now!) And I also have some glowlight and neon tetras and 4 female ruby tetras, they're less colourful so my betta doesn't attack them. Everything is living very peacefully so I'm pretty happy with the results! :)

[@willshandroski3462]

@@alexchan4037 fluval stratum will probably do better for low-tech carpet plants though, in my opinion, but I could be wrong because I haven't tried it yet

[@ACAquatics]

Awesome video, new sub, and you couldn't have explained that any better. I'm a huge fan of Eco complete because it never has to be replaced like you said. I don't have the time or money to be buying and replacing substrate every year. It works for me and my channel slogan is keep doing what you do if it works for you. Thanks for sharing and as always keep doing what you do if it works for you

[@jlathan1955]

News flash for me, I didn't know you had to replace substrate. Anyway, I've a question. I'm setting up a brand new 75 gallon tank for Discus and I'm planning to use a mix of regular black gravel and Caribsea Eco complete (140 lbs.). Should I layer the Eco complete on the bottom or top ?

[@rat_dragon]

@@jlathan1955 Sorry nobody has answered your question! Hopefully you're still looking for an answer...Why do you need black gravel as well as Eco-Complete? They both look very similar so I don't see why? If you were to layer substrates, I would highly recommend putting Eco-Complete on the bottom, as this is often where the waste will settle (gravel is porous and has many crevices for literal crap to build up). Hopefully this helps! Good luck with your setup 😉

[@kdr1048]

Stuff works for me too. Root tabs and fertilize the water column like you said. Good to go

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Kevin Rosenberg i need more of it in my life! Lol

[@HalaandaiseSauce]

ik this is an old video but this really helped me understand the substrate, as for about your stocking I would agree with you to an extent, I feel stocking is really misunderstood. The best rule of thumb is the one *cubic* inch of fish per gallon. But also it depends are your flow, frequency of water changes, dimensions (gas exchange), feeding, etc. So to anyone who reads this, go with peoples advice but do your own thing and do what works for you.

[@ian38018a]

Apart from perhaps an inflated puffer-fish, I know of no cube-shaped fish. So how do we calculate "one cubic inch of fish"?

[@qa377]

It seems like an estimate based on the dimensions of the fish - a large adult molly would be around 4” long, maybe 1.5” at the tallest, and 1” at the widest, so you’d have a 4x2x1” box that it would “fit” in, or ~8 cubic inches of fish, rounding up to the nearest inch.

[@qa377]

And then you’ve got angelfish, which can be taller than they are long, but are generally more narrow, so an angel 2” long might be 3-5” tall, but only half an inch wide. That’d be about 6-10 cubic inches depending on how tall the fish is, but then you have to take into account any other fish in the tank and whether or not they need to be in a group.

[@alexchan4037]

Thanks for this video, I saw another video that someone said their plants doesn't hold on Eco Complete and should add sand on top. I first thought about Fluval Stratum for Shrimp but that also having many issues and expensive. So I want to give my new 20 gallon shrimp and plants tank a try with Eco Complete. Hopefully will work out well. Do I need to rinse it before put into the tank?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

You don’t need to rinse it. Just pour it right in! It will hold your plants down very good. It’s pretty heavy even compared to fluval stratum and other aquasoils.

[@alexchan4037]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Do I need to add a layer of sand on top? Another KZbinr did that saying his plants couldn't hold until he added sand.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@alexchan4037 No it will hold your plants down just fine if you put sand on top it literally defeats the purpose of using eco complete entirely. The whole point of using eco complete is so that it absorbs all of your fishes poo and everything else. You don't ever want to gravel vac it either because your removing the nutrients your plants need by doing that. Eco complete does not have any nutrients right out of the bag. they build up in it over time. So yeah. That would be a complete waste of your time doing that.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@alexchan4037 All eco complete is, is crushed lava rock and black diamond sand. thats it. No nutrients in in at all. you have to build up the nutrients by feeding your fish and letting it on sink into it.

[@alexchan4037]

@@ThePlantedTankTV I will get a 20 pounds Eco Complete for 20 gallon tank tomorrow and give it a try. It will be a shrimp tank. Is it possible to do carpet plants on Eco Complete? Thanks.

[@craigathonian]

Thank you for making it clear....but, what the general people don't know is, lava rock is chock full of minerals ! Now, to the point you stated about the medium of lava, which also has a lot of similarities with another great substrate, that being baked clay, { flourish substrates from Seachem, all natural kitty litter, and different brands oil absorbers from the auto areas....as well as Super Turface and the like for sports stadiums ground maintenance.} they both act as great homes for bacteria to thrive but also, and similar in importance, they both act like a battery, in being able to be charged with the added fertilizers and their ability to hold on to this food for the plants time of need.... but what no body explains about, is that, these same beneficial bacteria also consume the minerals in the substrate and make it able to be absorbed by the plants roots. { raw minerals can not be absorbed by plants or humans till the microbes change their chemical structure.} This is where some basic understanding of biology is so important. The big companies aren't bullshitting you; trying to sell some snake oil. The scientist of these companies know these facts, and they should make it clearer....but what ever. What IS important is the fact that if you treat your gravel bed as a delicate living culture, meaning no "death from above" with killer water additives or petrol based fertilizers like Osmocote...your plants will be very happy and more importantly... healthy ! Sorry if this is long, but had to make it clear for the people who really care.

[@76Stankfinger]

Awesome video. I just subbed you. I just added eco-complete to my existing tank. I love the look. I use Osmocote Root Tabs and a combo of Simple Green and Seachem products for my ferts. I’m running a Fluval 3.0 light that I purchased three weeks ago. I’m hoping that will help my plants grow well.

[@ArkOfMystery]

how did your fluval with eco-complete work out? I just setup my first dirted tank with eco-comp and that fluval light. Fingers crossed.

[@NeonTetraAquarist]

Thanks for the great information bro. I use flourite for almost all of my tanks, I just like its look and initial nutrient count for the plants.😄

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Flourite also has a pretty high CEC value and it has nutrients. I'd recommend that stuff for sure!

[@hokimoki3677]

Whos watching 2020 👌

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

✌😅

[@nicholaskeyler7397]

2021

[@coryalexander6842]

2022 waz here

[@chrisdalacker4327]

Almost 2023

[@beatlesean9625]

2024 in the house

[@coryalexander6842]

You explained this awesome and thank you. However, I would love to know how is it is to move plants and such and dose it make clouds of dust and such

[@Gk22632]

Been using this stuff for about a year now, you really need to go ham on the root tabs when you add a new plant in this substrate otherwise you just won’t get the same root structure

[@tic857]

Do you have any tips on getting the tabs in? I have this substrate and it feels like the tablet or capsule dissolves faster than I can get through it.

[@Gk22632]

@@tic857 It’s probably the type of root tabs you’re using, for example a capsule root tab or a root tab like sea chems root tabs don’t dissolve very quickly

[@rmk22sr.2]

Hey Jay great video I am helping a friend start a new tank planted aquarium she has Eco complete for the substrate will that aid in helping the cycle with my filter media thanks Jay I hope all is well

[@user-db7gm8rg5e]

Thanks for sharing, I'm going to be setting up a planted soon and enjoy your tanks

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thanks man! Thanks for the sub too I subbed ya back!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I'm excited to see what you do with your planted tank! Looking forward to it!

[@user-db7gm8rg5e]

I'm gonna start small. First time into the planted world. Gonna catch up on all your vids and see what I can take from them.

[@--Paws--]

This would be more effective for orchids or some terrestrial plants in a substrate mix. Lava rock is essential in some soil mix.

[@ImHavingaCoronary]

Late question here. I added this to my tank, then Amazonia on top. I'm using RO water, but my GH is way off the charts when I test. I've tested seperately from my aquarium. and found its the Eco Complete. Does Eco Complete add cal-mag to the water?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Yes it does. If you read the back of the bag all the way on the bottom left it says that it will raise your ph. This is actually the reason I stopped using it. My ph out of the tap is already 7.2-7.8 at times so the aquasoil has really helped me keep it at a stable 6.5. Hope this helps! ✌🙂

[@loganwhite6173]

I've heard this is hard to keep plants down with. Did you have any trouble planting?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

No this stuff is very heavy holds any plant down no problem.

[@bethparsons7434]

Thanks for the video! Can you tell me if it is difficult to vacuum? Do you go down into the substrate or just do a surface clean? Will if break apart? Thanks again!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

This stuff is literally just crushed lava rock so it never breaks apart or anything like that. It will last a lifetime. Also gravel vacuuming is not recommended because that defeats the purpose of using this stuff. It's meant to collect all that fish poo and detritus so the bacteria can break it down and and turn it into plant food. If you suck it all out the plants wont have anything to feed on. ✌🥰 hope that helps.

[@hiker6798]

Does this take quite a bit of rinsing or not so much? Thanks for the video!

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

You are not supposed to rinse it since it has live bacteria in the bag.

[@sharongordon1254]

Would like to know if capping the substrate with fine gravel or sand will affect the cation exchange as described in the video. I don't like the black.

[@mackfrench2004]

Great video, thank you! Would my pleco like this substrate, or would it scratch his belly or something? He’s a speedy fish! Haha

[@creepycrawlers87]

sounds good, what type of root tabs have you found work the best?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Malevo I think seachem flourish tabs are by far the best! ✌️

[@crehhhnshawjamaica440]

Bro i have a 20 gallon established heavily planted tank, been using root tabs and aqua coop fertilizer, on both sides of the aquarium are ada amazonia and in the middle is just regular gravel, can i remove it and put in eco complete with my live stock inside? I have 4 female bettas 1 male betta, 5 oto’s and 2 nerite snail, im running seachem 35 and aqua 20 filter, and does it alter my ph? Should i put ada at the botton and eco at the top layer? Im using 50/50 ro water and tap water for minerals, my ph is 7.2, gh 4-6 kh 3-5 it would be nice if you replied, im a fan btw of your channel my question is long but looking for some wisdom from a veteran in the hobby

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I would stick with aqua soil man eco complete now a days is kind of obsolete.

[@SergioZ3]

How were you able to keep a male betta with females?

[@himlolo]

@@ThePlantedTankTV huh? Why?

[@alisaunders1729]

How is your eco complete so clean?! And your water is crystal clear too! I just can't get my tank to look as clean as that even though I do a water change every week!

[@Driven22]

Where are you guys getting your plants? Local stores or online?

[@nickbronson4386]

Just ordered some for my first ever tank, a 20 long. Can’t wait to set it up and you just got a new sub! 👍

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thanks brother! Good luck with your tank!

[@jodhanbeshaan5535]

How much pounds I need for a 20 gallon tank?

[@rrated_jay143]

Galaxy you need 40 pounds so two 20 pounds bag

[@jodhanbeshaan5535]

Thank you..... I got 20 lbs but realize I need 40

[@rrated_jay143]

Yeah I did the same thing but I realized for a planted tank you need at least a inch or two for the gravel

[@Guikrazy]

Can I put sand on top of it so kuhli loaches, mystery snails, etc, are safe?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

No because that completely defeats the purpose of what it is supposed to do. It’s made to catch fish poo and organic waste and the bacteria will break it down into plant food. The sand will prohibit all of that from happing. It’s not a nutritional based substrate it’s make to catch the nutrients sand will not work on top at all..

[@jodhanbeshaan5535]

Can I add it on top of the regular gravel that is in my tank for the last two years?

[@piercecruz325]

Seems fine

[@C.Double.]

I have to partially disagree with your stance here. As far as it being "inert" specifically - its not normal lava rock (pumice) like people put in their filters as you mention. Yes it has pumice in it but its considered a soil due to the varied composition and the fact there is chelated minerals in it. Granted, these minerals will only last 4-6 months and then you need to dose ferts after that... but its not inert or even low in nutritional value. To me there is a trade off against ADA, yes... the ADA system has a MUCH higher and longer lasting nutritional content but the substrate longevity (mechanical) and organic decomposition are not an issue with eco-complete like it is with ADA, you have a lifespan of 2-3 years if you use the entire ADA substrate system, then it needs to be replaced completely. Eco-complete as you mention doesnt break down. Then there is the process of decomposition the ADA soil goes through when introduced to a tank (which can drive novice hobbyists insane)... on top of that you have a much higher chance of getting anaerobic pockets with ADA. If you do a base layer of nutrients like you would in the ADA system and then use eco-complete, you would extend its nutritional life dramatically. To me, that is the only advantage ADA had. - If I was setting up a nano to small size tank and was ok with tearing it down in a year or so, sure... ADA is great for that. - If I had an endless supply of cash and wanted to fanboy, sure... ADA is great for that. Otherwise, Eco-complete with adjustments will fulfill the needs of 90% of people.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I'm not sure where you got your information. But something that lasts for ever and doesnt not break down is not a soil at all. All soil products break down and that is fact. The only reason it's not inert is because its soaked in the bag with liquid fertilizers. Once you do your first water change it's mostly gone. Unless you use liquid fertilizers. "Pumice " is a type of lava stone and not near the same thing as lava rock. Pumice breaks by squishing it between your fingers. Try that with lava stones. It doesnt budge unless you have a hammer. Not a single aquascaper in the pro world uses eco complete. It doesnt contain the vital nutrients required to have a successful tank long term. I have completely switched my opinions about eco complete since I made this video. Its utter garbage when compared to modern methods of growing aquarium plants. Aqua soil and dirt are FAR better options in today's world. As far as I'm concerned dirt and aqua soil are the best methods and the only methods used by professional aquascapers today. This eco complete stuff relays on fish waste and detritus to collect in it. They even say that on their own youtube channel. So as far as I'm concerned. It's not to be used in higher end planted aquariums. It also raises your waters hardness and ph level. Says it right on the back left of the bag on the bottom. Plants dont absorb nutrients properly in hard water. That is also a fact. This stuff really shouldn't be used by anyone when their are far better and cheaper options. I can get a 50lb bag of pool filter sand for 10$ and a 40lb bag of topsoil for 3$ I could set up several smaller aquariums with just that alone. Eco complete is 20$ per bag and it's only 20lbs so most of the time you'll need more than 20lb. I used a bag and a half for my 10 gallon because one want near enough. It's no longer a good option and really never was.

[@rat_dragon]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Wow, thank you so much for all of the information!! So, I was wondering...I am *sort of* a novice (I've been in the aquarium hobby for about 8 years but am novice at successful planted aquariums). Anyway, I was wondering which you believe is best for a small aquarium? I plan on having a heavily-planted 5.5 with low light plants for Flag, a male long-tailed Halfmoon "Thai Flag" Betta splendens with special needs. I plan for this tank to be absolutely filled with live plants, but to also allow some space for him, 2 Otocinclus, and possibly some Shrimp and/or Snails. It will be a low-tech tank with easy plants but I want everything to stay successful for at least a few years (my Bettas tend to have a long lifespan of around 4-8 years). I've been trying to gather info but it's difficult when people do not agree with one another. I agree that a Walstad is probably the best option, but I've heard there's a higher chance of algae developing. Is this true? I just now read from this comment how ADA Aquasoil needs to be completely replaced and how it tends to have built-up bacterial pockets (which is toxic to fish). Now I'm hearing Eco-Complete is terrible, but my friend uses it all the time (though I don't want to rely on just fish waste go have a successful tank, as that would be unsightly). I always hear of Fluval Stratum, but *MAN* is that stuff expensive! I do have a 4.4 lb bag of Stratum but that will be used for a miniature 0.5 gal heavily-planted setup. I really like the naturalistic coloration of Seachem Flourite Dark, but I rarely hear about this substrate. Sand is cool but I would like to have a nutritious substrate underneath (like a Walstad capped with sand, as I've done before). Sorry this is such a long comment but any help from you would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you very much 😊

[@BigDavos]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Id love to see a video using top soil and how to properly use it!

[@mikelewis8802]

How long did it take for your plants to grow in the caribsea eco complete

[@drizzle187]

What's up man, I've been using root tabs in my eco complete and been using co2 for 2 weeks now. Does dosing liquid ferts make a big difference? And how much would u dose in a 16 gallon?

[@rat_dragon]

Another thing I also love about Eco-Complete is that is super cheap as well! Very great soil overall! I also agree with the three other substrates you mentioned (soil/dirt, ADA AquaSoil, & Fluval Stratum), as I use them as well for the many aquariums! 😁

[@Leafs1]

Eco complete is super cheap?

[@sstavo_]

Can I top eco-complete with sand?

[@natalieharoldsen3494]

Following

[@colby85387]

dont cover it, but mix it in.

[@someguy4502]

It is a nutrient sponge. Nothing more. That is what makes it appealing to me.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Exactly! Seachem flourite does the same thing but better and it doesn’t effect ph like eco complete does. It’s a far better product to me but both are great choices!

[@someguy4502]

@@ThePlantedTankTV i just put a 3 inch depth of eco complete in my 20 gallon long, how much do you think pH will drop? The pH of the tapwater is already at 7 - 7.2ish. Uh ohhhh

[@jinwoopark2867]

Does this substrate work for carpeting plants too?

[@RandySoWavvy]

JJ yup

[@AntoineFinch]

What about with Common Goldfish and Cory's?

[@loganspence1147]

Actually it has a very high nutritional value. Ever heard of volvic mineral water, it is very high in mineral content, same concept with this stuff. The nutritional value is so high that sometimes you can have deadly red algae blooms. Comparing volcanic wrong to a 0 nutritional value of sand is actually not accurate. The bacteria would all be dead in the bag by the time people bought this product and brought it home if it had no nutritional value. Look up aquarium co-op if you do not believe me.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Aquarium co-op doesn't always know what he is talking about. This is why I've unsubscribed from him a long time ago. The proof is in the pudding. Look at his planted tanks and look at mine. There is a big difference there. Read my reply to your other comment. That is like saying that my black lava rocks add nutrients to my water column and they don't. ( The bacteria I do agree will be dead. )

[@benitouchiha]

Sorry but can you use this in the tank and cap with fluval substrate?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Eco complete is best used on it's own but yeah you can do. I just don't recommend it.

[@jton1]

What substrate do you think is best now? I’m looking to change my substrate of my 20g Long

[@djmitchell3938]

Would it still work good if I caped the eco complete with a few inches of pool filter sand?

[@ArkOfMystery]

Why not use this to replace the sponge in a HOB filter?

[@drb4074]

A sponge is both a mechanical filter and biological filter. Eco-complete is only a biological filter. While bacteria can grow in the sponge, just like the eco-complete, it's doing more than that. Eco-complete doesn't mechanically filter water. A sponge does. Even in a filter use setup with lava rock, which eco-complete basically is lava rock but crushed very small, the rock isn't mechanical filtration. It's there to provide a very high surface area (due to all the nooks and crannies) for bacteria to grow on. The sponge provides that additional mechanical filtration to clean the water. And then you can take the sponge out, clean the dirt away (safely in used aquarium water, so you dont kill the bacteria living in there) and put it back into the filter to keep doing it's job.

[@ballistic350]

I plan on using that brand with gravel sand like on top ? Doable?

[@khandeexiong7769]

I have Eco complete, but the red ones. I want to get some corydoras but was wondering if the substrate would hurt them. How are your otocinclus catfish doing?

[@drb4074]

These type of substrates are bad for corys. It will destroy their barbs. If you want to use corys with this stuff, you need to cap the substrate with sand.

[@himlolo]

@@drb4074 this is full of bad advice. Cories barbs are not damaged by gravel: they’re damaged by poor water quality. Although, sand is still preferred because they can sift through it. Second of all, you shouldn’t cap eco complete. It kind of defeats the purpose of it. Plus the eco complete will eventually come out.

[@drb4074]

@@himlolo That's why you don't use eco complete with sand, which means you shouldn't be using eco complete with cories. The eco complete is rough to the touch. Have you ever touched it? It's not smooth like typical tumbled gravel. Cories use their barbs to locate food as they are rooting around in substrate. Water quality has zippo to do with that.

[@himlolo]

@@drb4074 it’s a common myth that has no basis. No one’s cories have actually gotten worn down by gravel. What’s slightly rough to you or me is nothing to a nano fish

[@vamosascape]

Jay, I was wondering if it's possible to do the Walstad method with EcoComplete as opposed to organic potting mix? Would you recommend it?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

I would not recommend this

[@dmoore0079]

You can use eco complete to cap your soil. I have about 1" of soil and about 1.5 - 2" of eco-complete in my 40 breeder, and the plants are thriving.

[@ian38018a]

What do you mean by "Mix it with anything else?"

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

If you mix eco complete with anything ( Other than root tabs ) it hinders it from doing wait it was designed to do. You are not supposed to gravel vac this stuff ever. So all the gunk ( food and poo ) at the bottom feeds your plants. Its really an excellent design. You have the big gravel on top medium grade and fine at the bottom which is how it happens in nature and is great for plant roots! It is pretty cheap to which is another bonus. I'll have to do another video about it because its awesome stuff.

[@ian38018a]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Thanks. My only concern with Eco is the sharp nature of the substrate. Bottom dwellers don't like it apparently. I was wondering about covering it with a shallow layer of something smoother. Even ADA Aquasoil, if my finances run to it. Any drawbacks to this?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Herbert von Zinderneuf yeah you might as well just get only aquasoil because the eco will be useless. I usually run only aquasoil or only eco complete. Right now I’m running fluval stratum in three of my tanks and plain gravel with root tabs in another.

[@qa377]

What about doing a dirted tank with Eco-Complete as the cap? Or would that be a bit overkill on the nutrients?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

​@@qa377I wouldn't recommend it. You'd get the same if not better results just using a fine gravel. Plus it will look a lot better with some nice gravel I think. ✌😍

[@WHSuperman2005]

Is this okay for carpeting?

[@miquelmontgomery2542]

Is this Eco Complete black or CaribSea Eco-Complete? Is there a difference?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

There used to be a difference ( Carib Sea later added black diamond sand to the mix ). But now it's all the same. ✌😁

[@miquelmontgomery2542]

The Planted Tank Thanks!

[@QualeQualeson]

I've read comments/articles that claim that it doesn't have a high CEC factor at all. I've seen comparative charts and apparently it's very low. They say that once you exclude the fluid that comes with it (which obviously won't have much effect past the initial stage and can easily be replicated with the right chemistry), it's nothing but volcanic rock. REALLY expensive volcanic rock with a fluid that helps kick start the aquarium. They also say that it will raise PH, while others claim it's inert. I also have to say that something can't be very porous and last "forever" at the same time. If it's porous, it will crumble. It might have a slightly bigger surface area, but porous it's probably not. Now, I don't know what to make of all this conflicting information, but to think that I have to spend hundreds of dollars to put what's essentially crushed volcanic rock in my tank makes me want to puke. There is no way I'm pulling this trigger until I'm as sure as I can be, and right now I have no idea where the truth lies.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

It is high in a different category of CEC. It doesn't actually absorb nutrients it takes all the un eaten fish food fish waste and detritus and locks it in the substrate for the bacteria to break it down. It is inert btw. It's the fluid that it comes in that raises your ph. from my testings. It is a rock and wont break down so it does essentially last for ever. you might need to gravel vac it once every 6 months or so to keep it going but that is it. It's cec value is nothing compared to aquasoil though. I no longer use this stuff because I think aquasoil is far superior! ✌🙂

[@QualeQualeson]

@@ThePlantedTankTV Thanks for responding. The jury is definitely out on whether or not it's inert. One half say they have monitored PH/GH spikes after many years of use (some claim they have tested this scientifically), and the other half claims it's inert. The company claims inertness, critics claim false advertising. It's speculated that there are variations from batch to batch. Personally, I find the text Carib Sea uses to describe the product as highly suspect, and usually if it walks like a duck.. Either way, it's impossible for me to determine what's actually true just from reading. Aquasoil from what I understand, is superior for a couple years, then it turns to useless mud. Regardless, both options are horrendously expensive. One doesn't need to be replaced but must be rigorously fertilized (which also is expensive) And the other must be replaced.

[@ArnoldQMudskipper]

@@QualeQualeson What did you decide to go with?

[@QualeQualeson]

@@ArnoldQMudskipper Gonna be more than a few weeks before I'm ready to pull the trigger on a tank and everything that goes with it. Hobby is like a minefield. Very complex and chock full of misinformation and cynical commercial agenda. As it stands, in my particular corner of the market, the price difference between a full blown aqua soil, and everything else really isn't that big, so I might just go for that. I've seen some really crazy things in the market. People seem to think that 'substrate anything' should cost a fixed amount no matter what it is exactly. I've seen stuff like blaster sand and cat litter get flipped into the aquarium segment and sold for more than 10x the original price. How's that for easy money. The exact same product. I dunno what it is about things that are nerdy, but those markets always get the worst business culture for some reason. I guess a ton of people that "just have to have" things for very childish reasons, isn't a good thing for consumers.

[@FirstLast-numba1]

eco complete is great because you can have aerobic and anaerobic without the need for a thick substrate

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Agreed!

[@peggyrodgers873]

Great video and beautiful tank as always!

[@Leafs1]

I hasnt worked for me. Root tabs and ferts every week from day 1.

[@davidwillian6822]

Fluorite looks more dark than Eco Complete. Correct ?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

If you are talking about fluorite black sand? Then yes. ( My camera is making it look bright but in person it is much darker than in the video. )

[@davidwillian6822]

@@ThePlantedTankTV thanks.

[@bo_392]

thanks so much, i couldn't tell if it came with nutes

[@最高KevinK]

Sub #420 :) Great video! Considering various substrates for a dry-start setup with a full carpet bed of Hemianthus Callitrichoides...

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Kevin K thanks brother! I wouldn’t recommend eco complete for dry start. Haha definitely aquasoil! I love me some fluval stratum thanks for the love man!

[@最高KevinK]

No problem. Like I said, just considering various substrates. Do you think flourite black perhaps might work as well?

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Kevin K I think it would work a heck of a lot better for sure. If it were me thought I’d use either fluval stratum ada amazonia or tropica. But I’m sure flourite would do great too!!! 🤜🤛

[@最高KevinK]

Many thanks! I'll keep you posted! :) Going to have all the materials mid next week so maybe I'll document the tanks development and up some vids myself!

[@最高KevinK]

I'm wondering if I could use the Fluorite as a cap for the Fluval Stratum or Amazonia, both of which I looked into also. Must've watched 100+ videos by now on different substrate! Your vid was very to the point and informative, great delivery... keep up the good work.

[@davidwillian6822]

Fluorite dark black gravel or Eco Complete ? thnks.

[@davidwillian6822]

I got Fluorite but that`s very sharp. I`m thinking to change.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@davidwillian6822 Ever tried aquasoil?

[@davidwillian6822]

@@ThePlantedTankTV In New Zealand, it sucks to find good soil. I went to shop and bought dirt and Daltons Fine Scoria. I will try this.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@davidwillian6822 That should do it too! ✌😁

[@bigeshobbys7097]

Do I have to wash it or do I just pour it in

[@Ttblondey]

Can it be use for high tech tank

[@dbachelorsplantedaquarium4711]

good to know man! thanks for the info

[@RobEvans-lr9us]

Your bio is nowhere near on the brink of overload . Not with that substrate 👍

[@GUPPYKIWI]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@richiele8995]

how many 20 pound bags for a 20 long?

[@brookecharlton2156]

I used 2

[@robbyjones9489]

Would it be ok to mix this with flourite black sand

[@andrewgoldfish]

Old video but good info,

[@one234569and10]

That is not the eco complete I have. Mine is more like brown flakes.

[@mvvinds]

Eco Complete Red will it change my water parameters?

[@ticklemekevin10]

Maria Victoria Lopez - Vindas no it will not.

[@MichaelDavis-en6qf]

Great video

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Thank you!

[@loganspence1147]

fill your tank with distilled water and add eco complete substrate to the water. Then do a water test for hardness and you will see that the water will become hard water. That alone is evidence for the high nutritional value.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Well see that is the exact problem with it. Plants don't absorb nutrients well in hard water giving you stunted growth if any at all. I switched to aqua soil and never looked back. If it were so good. Why is there no single pro aquascaper using it? Hard water is not evidence of a high nutrient value. That would be testing for ammonia nitrite and nitrate. Because those are aquatic plants preferred source of nitrogen. I'm not sure where you heard hard means being nutrient rich because if that were true my tap water alone would be enough to grow plants and it simply is not.

[@joelee874]

why not just use gravel if you need root tabs and dosing

[@naylak5718]

Because rocks don't absorb nutrients.

[@Fish-br6rm]

Ive heard this stuff raises ph

[@rifraf6135]

Or use cat litter :)

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Eww I tried that no thanks

[@rifraf6135]

@@ThePlantedTankTV lolll bro what was the outcome? I'm hearing rlly good things about it.

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

@@rifraf6135 it was just terrible. So messy. Wanted to float no nutrients. Just use aquasoil lol

[@Kylegas710]

Uh uh uh

[@Fish-br6rm]

Ive heard this stuff raises ph

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

It does. It even says it on the back of the bag. This is why I refuse to use it anymore. ✌🙂

[@LingMare]

The Planted Tank Can you make a video about substrate? Which you use currently and how to layer different kinds? I love your videos btw. Thanks for the great content! 🙌🏼