Just wondering how bad of an idea it is to add Eco-Complete to my fully stocked and active tank right now. Don't want to hurt any of my fish, but my Amazon Swords definitely could use the nutrients. I was thinking of just scooping in a 20lb bag, cup by cup, and then slowly working it in by hand. Any input would be great! Flourish isn't doing the trick.
Adding Eco-Complete
- Thread starter TRD_Power
- Start date
im asuming the tank already has existing gravels? i would vaccuum all the old gravels from a waterchange then add the eco and replant everything. should be ok....last i seen the eco in the bag it was watery...is that correct? if so i believe its ready to just pop open and add straight to the tank without any harm. i switched from flourite to regular sand by sucking everything out using a garden hose then add the new sand right after on my discus/altum tank with no problem. and i would recommend doing a complete gravel change and not just add 20lbs.
The gravel I have in there now is good stuff, just no nutrients for the plants :/ Would mixing the eco-complete in with my current gravel be pointless? I don't have any crazy plants that would requite a full gravel transplant with Eco-Complete, but just some added nutrients would be nice. Thanks!
There are a few things you can do.
1) ditch the gravel, go bare-bottom and use small terra cotta pots for the plants, using top soil, and covering the soil with your gravel.
2) Keep the gravel, but still use potted plants as described above
3) put the fish in a bucket, drain most of the water, and mix in the eco-complete. I'm not sure how well this would work, I've never used the stuff.
4) buy some bags of top soil. Put all the fish in a bucket, and drain all the water. Scoop out as much gravel as you can, and put down the top soil planting the plants as you go. Cover each section with some of your gravel as you cover the bottom of the tank. This is how I have my planted tanks set up, and didn't spend a dime for eco-complete. Place a small saucer/plate on top of the gravel, and direct the water onto it to prevent disrupting the soil while filling it with water.
1) ditch the gravel, go bare-bottom and use small terra cotta pots for the plants, using top soil, and covering the soil with your gravel.
2) Keep the gravel, but still use potted plants as described above
3) put the fish in a bucket, drain most of the water, and mix in the eco-complete. I'm not sure how well this would work, I've never used the stuff.
4) buy some bags of top soil. Put all the fish in a bucket, and drain all the water. Scoop out as much gravel as you can, and put down the top soil planting the plants as you go. Cover each section with some of your gravel as you cover the bottom of the tank. This is how I have my planted tanks set up, and didn't spend a dime for eco-complete. Place a small saucer/plate on top of the gravel, and direct the water onto it to prevent disrupting the soil while filling it with water.
TRD_Power;4784993; said:
if your gravel now is good stuff then no need to buy eco. and mixing would look ugly unless they're both the same color.
this is the best option for you. buy root nutrient tabs. and stick them underneath the plants.
eco complete is not great for mixing into existing gravel ... why not try something old-school, like laterite? that is actually meant to be mixed in with your gravel ...
Hmm, I may have to give Laterite a shot. One of my 6 Amazon Swords is slowly dying off and I want to keep it alive. The base of all the stems seem to be turning a pale yellowish color, and the leaves are slowly doing the same. What's weird is that all the others seem to be doing just fine. Could this be from too much light? I'm just running a crappy old light in there... Don't know the wattage or anything, but my Java Ferns are just fine.
Thanks!
Thanks!