Help i hate this substrate!!!

[SanDiegoRedneck]

I purchased this 20gal off CL. A few months ago. Now houses my cherry barbs. When I purchased water tested great. When I gravel vac it's black!!! It looks like falling apart, or is it really that dirty?

I hate thus stuff. If I touch immideatly clouds with brown dust

Can I slowly go bare tank then put eco complete with fish in.
Ignore bio rings on sponge filter I'm seeding as I switched from HOB

 

[Byron]

What is the substrate composed of?

Eco-complete is a waste of money to be honest. Inert smooth sand or inert fine gravel, depending upon intended fish, works very well for plants.

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

What is the substrate composed of?

Eco-complete is a waste of money to be honest. Inert smooth sand or inert fine gravel, depending upon intended fish, works very well for plants.

Love love love eco complete. Have in 6 of 7 tanks

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I agree, it looks like super old Eco Complete, or some other brand. I would get that stuff out of the tank, and replace it with play sand. (You can find it for very cheap. 50lb for $5)

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Love love love eco complete. Have in 6 of 7 tanks

You might love new Eco Complete, but this stuff is really old. After time, it will fall apart... as you are experiencing.

 

[Retired Viking]

I stay away from soil of any type, it all wears out in the end and you have to replace it in a year or two. Sand or gravel is better IMHO. I have a tank with micro gravel in it (less than 3mm) which so far has been alright but only had it for 2 to 3 months.

 

[Byron]

There are no benefits for plants from Eco-complete. I used Flourite, admittedly a different product but generally held to be basically the same thing, and after two years it got dumped in the back garden in a hole. Waste of money, not suitable for substrate fish (cories, loaches, cichlids), and it does not improve plant growth. My plants grew the same with inert sand, and with fine gravel in another tank. Substrate tabs and/or liquid comprehensive fertilizers will provide the nutrients. Save your money for things that really matter, like quality fish food, or more fish!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

There are no benefits for plants from Eco-complete. I used Flourite, admittedly a different product but generally held to be basically the same thing, and after two years it got dumped in the back garden in a hole. Waste of money, not suitable for substrate fish (cories, loaches, cichlids), and it does not improve plant growth. My plants grew the same with inert sand, and with fine gravel in another tank. Substrate tabs and/or liquid comprehensive fertilizers will provide the nutrients. Save your money for things that really matter, like quality fish food, or more fish!

The Flourite is made by Seachem, correct?

After you convinced me over a year ago that the stuff was worthless, play sand has been my go to substrate.

In fact, I don't even use root tabs/liquid fertilizers. Play sand is the way to go my friend, trust me.

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

You might love new Eco Complete, but this stuff is really old. After time, it will fall apart... as you are experiencing.

All forums on planted tank forums say lasts over 100 years. I can't find A SINGLE post where people saying eco complete breaks down. But I see alot where they say doesn't.

 

[FishGuest5123]

You seem to be sold on it.

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

You seem to be sold on it.

i am all i was just asking how to switch it out (one substrate for another) then everyone told me not to use it lol. No answers on actually how to switch. Lol , I'll Google it and do research. Just though I would ask. But glad you all think wrong substrate but not question I asked. Lol

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Just a quick one.
Can you remove the fish to a container, pail or another tank temporarily?
Then it will be easier to remove all the substrate.

Usually when I do a major transfer in my tank, I will remove all the fish.
Firstly, I will remove the water to only 20-30% where it will be easier to catch the fish out.

If you are removing the substrate with fish inside the tank, then you have to do it slowly.
When you remove the substrate, you can easily stir a lot of dust and debris up that can kill the fish.
If you have shrimps, you have to be even more careful as they are more sensitive and die easily.
You have to remove the substrate area by area/section by section to give the fish place to move away.
But first reduce the water level so that it won't stir up too much dust, debris and easier for you to scoop the substrate out.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Definitely remove the fish when you change the substrate. I learned that the hard way

 

[Kamdavid]

I purchased this 20gal off CL. A few months ago. Now houses my cherry barbs. When I purchased water tested great. When I gravel vac it's black!!! It looks like falling apart, or is it really that dirty?

I hate thus stuff. If I touch immideatly clouds with brown dust

Can I slowly go bare tank then put eco complete with fish in.
Ignore bio rings on sponge filter I'm seeding as I switched from HOB

Is it fluval stratum? I had it. Did the same exact thing. What a mess.

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

Just a quick one.
Can you remove the fish to a container, pail or another tank temporarily?
Then it will be easier to remove all the substrate.

Usually when I do a major transfer in my tank, I will remove all the fish.
Firstly, I will remove the water to only 20-30% where it will be easier to catch the fish out.

If you are removing the substrate with fish inside the tank, then you have to do it slowly.
When you remove the substrate, you can easily stir a lot of dust and debris up that can kill the fish.
If you have shrimps, you have to be even more careful as they are more sensitive and die easily.
You have to remove the substrate area by area/section by section to give the fish place to move away.
But first reduce the water level so that it won't stir up too much dust, debris and easier for you to scoop the substrate out.

Yes I can. And if I don't change filter, plants or clean glass I'm assuming I'll have enough BB to switch all at once.