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CaribSea - Eco-Complete™ Planted Aquarium Substrate

49K views 15 replies 16 participants last post by  Raul-7 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Description: CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate: Contains Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sulfer plus over 25 other elements to nourish your aquatic plants. Caribsea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate contains all the mineral nutrients needed for luxuriant aquatic plant growth without nuisance algae! The Caribsea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate is Iron rich which eliminates the need for laterite and is also Nitrate and carbonate free which will not increase pH or carbonate hardness. There is no artificial dye, paint or chemical coating because it's real!

The CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate also contains live Heterotrophic Bacteria to rapidly convert fish waste into natural food for your aquatic plants. The Caribsea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate also creates a natural biological balance which makes cycling in a new aquarium faster and safer. With it's unsurpassed MacroPorosity for healthy roots and bacterial efficieny - you would have to buy 4 bags of ordinary gravel to equal the surface are of this one bag of Caribsea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate!

Sizes: 20 lbs

Keywords: Eco Complete Substrate

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#2 ·
GENERALLY:
I\'ve been reasonably happy with EcoComplete in my planted tank.

PROs:
-I\'m fond of darker substrates aesthetically, and so are many fish
-Holds roots well when planting (Hairgrass, Glosso, HC, etc.)
-Plants grow well
-Reasonable value

CONs:
-Though I have no tangible proof, I believe EC leaks nutrients into the water column (not a huge problem for me, however, and one that isn\'t unique to EC as far as I can tell)
-Wouldn\'t be suprised if all the organic matter in the liquid of this product caused my greenwater episode

PS:
Next time I might try ADA AquaSoil Amazonia for comparison.

Rating8
ProsPlants Grow Well, Reasonably Priced
ConsI Believe EC Leaks Nutrients Into Water Column
Would you recommend?yes
 
#3 ·
Really liked it in my 18g so I bought three bags for my 29g. Really looks good and natural. Fish and inverts seem to like the dark look. Great substrate IMHO.

Rating9
Prosnatural looks, layers itself
Conscloudy when first put in
Would you recommend?yes
 
#4 ·
Nothing bad to say here, My swords never looked better. Easy to use and was very clean.

If there is a green water outbreak, ammonium is the cause of that, not necessarily the substrate. The switch probably hurt your beneficial bacteria levels. For further reference, if you plan to switch to Eco, do so slowly and gradually, over a period of weeks and your bacteria levels will not suffer.

Rating9
ProsAesthetically pleasing, Easy to use, cost effective
Would you recommend?yes
 
#5 ·
I used it on my 10-gal and it was very hassle-free. The price can vary from so it is wise to do some hunting. No rinsing was required for this product. You just open the bag and dump the content into the tank. You can even get by without adding any ferts the first few weeks as it comes nutrition-packed. Not a bad deal.

Rating10
ProsBlack color is nice for planted tanks, contains nutrients, no pre-washing needed
Would you recommend?yes
 
#6 ·
This substrate has an interesting twist to it, it comes packed in blackwater, and in the tank it\'ll seperate into a gravel and a sand layer by itself. The sand layer holds the plants very well. it\'s pretty messy when you first setup because of the sand, but after a few hours your tank will be set.

Rating8
ProsColor is nice in the tank
Would you recommend?yes
 
#8 ·
This is a great product. I keep purchasing bags and bags of this stuff. Plant is definately made easy with the fine grain size. But with the sand type grain, every few months run a spoon through it to mix up the substrate to prevent compaction. I haven't had any problems with leaching of chemicals or anything. My plants grow rapidly, and my fish are nice and healthy. I recommend this overflourite b/c of the color. People who see my flourite tank vs eco complete always like the eco because they say it looks definately more natural. But flourite is good as well. Color choice your preference

Rating10
ProsColor, grain, and ease of planting
Consslight compaction
Would you recommend?yes
 
#9 ·
Great results from the start, plants like it immediately, no dosing required for first few weeks, no algae problem as reported by one of the reviewers above.

Light weight is a problem but also an advantage at the same time. A problem because the lightest water movement can stir up the substrate, even fish fighting could stir up a cloud and leave behind craters/holes! Advantage being easy for planting, just need to gently push the plants into it!

A full account of my step-by-step setup of my aquarium with this substrate can found here (with photos):
http://www.theteh.com/./html/tropical_planted_aquarium_phot.html

Rating9
ProsColour, simple, no washing or mixing required
ConsCompaction, light weight, expensive (in the UK)
Would you recommend?yes
 
#10 ·
I think that this soil is a great buy. My plants and shrimp pop against the dark color and the plants seem to enjoy it. It was easy to set up since you just dump it in. The only thing that I don't like about are the white spots on some of the gravel. They mess up the whole monochromatic look of the soil. But, all you have to do to solve this problem it push them into the soil or take them out. Do shop around because I have seen this substrate go for 20-36 dollars a bag.

Rating9
ProsColor, ease to plant, full of nutrients, no washing
Conssome white spots on soil
Would you recommend?yes
 
#11 ·
I just put this in what is planned to be lower tech tank... no CO2 addition. I really enjoyed
how well the new plants stay put in there! Much better than just in gravel or fluorite..now
don't weird... I put it in with a gravel and fluorite mixture as I needed additional medium
in this tank. It blended it quite well. :)

Rating5
ProsColor and texture
Consnone yet
Would you recommend?yes
 
#12 ·
I bought 2 bags for my 29 gallon and it looks great. I really enjoyed that my water wasnt clouding and my swordtails color just pops out. I would use it again as its a good deal. Bought for 18.99 and amazonia goes for 28 bucks and you need to w8 for them nitrates spike and major wate rchanges the first couple weeks.

Rating10
ProsLooks great easy to plant
Consnothing
Would you recommend?yes
 
#13 ·
I bought one bag for my 10 gallon. when i set up my tank the water was never cloudy. plus my bag came with free water clarifier. planting is hassle free because the plants stay in very well. i would definately recomend this prodduct.

Rating10
ProsArray
ConsArray
Would you recommend?yes
 
#16 ·
I have had this stuff for the past year. It has been pretty good to my plants. I have it in a 90 and a 20l. I highly recommend that you keep fish with barbels away from this product. I tried Corey cats when the tank was a few months old.....all ten died. The sharp edges on the substrate cut all of their barbels off. Wait for a PETCO sale with free shipping.....otherwise most companies will charge you extra for the heavier boxes.

Rating8
ProsHolds plants well...doesn't cloud the water.
ConsCompacts....not friendly to some fish.
Would you recommend?yes
 
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