Eco And Sand?

[goin_all_out]

is it possible, or advisable to put a lyer of sand over top of eco complete? im planning a 40-50 gal tank and was wondering if to layer eco with sand over top to suit some corys?

 

[jollysue]

The sand will sink to the bottom and the EcoComplete will work it's way to the top. But it won't hurt anything, I don't believe. Didn't hurt mine, although a substrate of Tahitian Moon sand was devoured. LOL

 

[Shrimper]

I have eco-complete and sand in my tank but not layered.

I have eco-complete at the sides and the back of the tank with plants in and an area at the front of the tank with sand and no plants for the corys. I do get some eco-complete sneaking its way onto the sand but when i do a water change this gets cleaned up, pouring the new water in washes the stones to the side. There is a photo bellow that i've taken today to show the substrate. I last changed the water on Tuesday and the Corys haven't bought that many stones back onto the sand yet. Just to spite me they are all hiding behind the wood so aren't in this picture at all. I did it this way because i had heard the same as Jollysue, if i did it in layers then the sand would just sink.

My tank is 48 G and i needed 2 bags of eco-complete and 1 bag of sand a similar size to cover the bottom properly. My other tip is to find a sand that stays blacker than mine underwater (Roman Brand Gravel, not sure if you get that over there?). The annoying thing is that it is the same brand as the gravel in my other tank which is nice and black, I wrongly assumed it would be the same colour.

Edit - doh forgot the picture...

 

[jollysue]

That's a nice idea, shrimper. I might actually try that in a larger footprint tank. I have heard of others putting sand on one end and gravel on the other. But this is a nice idea. I wouldn't be shocked if they eventually mixed together over time, though I might try it as I say. At least enough to get the plants started. My Corys eventually dig up any plants in sand.

 

[Shrimper]

I am expecting it to mix eventually, It has only been in the tank since christmas so i don't know how it is going to work long term. The bit of wood at the back is helping it not to mix but the sand has spread a bit at the sides, i moved some stones along the edge to try and stop this and its made a bit of difference.

 

[jollysue]

All good ideas. I suppose a retaining wall of sorts could be put in place as well.

 

[sevenleaf]

Hi,

Without wanting to hijack your thread, I was wondering how deep you have your eco complete? I am about to order some for my 36" tank and wondered how many bags I would need. I'm guessing if you used 2 plus sand I will need at least 3 to cover the whole tank?

 

[Shrimper]

I'm not at home to measure it but i think it is about 4 cm deep. So about 1.5 inches.

Tank is a vision 180, so the footprint is 92cm by 42cm. I would guess you need at least 3 bags, possibly 4 to cover a 36 inch tank.

 

[sevenleaf]

Awesome, thanks man. I used this calculator here http/www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html that says for 36" x 15" and 1.5" thick I need about 2x 20lbs bags. With postage at around £6 - 7 I need to buy the correct amount first time!

 

[Themuleous]

If it were me I'd be tempted to get three bags, as you say you need to be sure you have enough first time around and I always tend to prefer a slightly deeper substrate rather thana slightly shallow substrate as it makes planting a lot easier.

Sam