Eco-complete

[DanS]

Hi All, I'm a beginner setting up a new tank, so have a similar question in the beginners forum but though i would ask here too..

I have a 60l tank with 2 bags of eco-complete, very expensive, but i thought i'd give it a try anyway. I put the water and substrate in last night and it went cloudy, but 15hrs later there doesn't seem to be much change? Its cloudy enough for me to not be able to see the background.

I have some plants purchased a couple of hours ago - the lfs told me its alright to plant them whilst the water is cloudy..... Is this correct? Any idea on how long before the "dust will settle".

There's nothing else in the tank currently.

Thanks

Dan

 

[Castellop123]

Cheers...

 

[RadaR]

The more filter floss in the filter then the more quickly the cloudiness will go.

 

[DanS]

Excellent, thankyou. When i first put the water and substrate in last night I actually turned the filter OFF overnight cos it was making the water flow so I thought it would settle with it off and then i could turn the filter back on the morning DOH! Filter on now!!

Yeah, that was a concern with the plants, cos i wont be able to see where i'm putting everything properly! I'll leave it a few hours and see if the situation has improved.

Thanks!

 

[nry]

I have seen others who used Eco-Complete and their water went cloudy, it went after a day or two. I used it and for whatever reason it didn't cloud my tank.

For now you could just dump the plants in the tank to keep them wet or simply put them in a bucket and ensure they get some form of light (even through a window?). They'll be OK for a while.

 

[frozenbarb]

if its a milk color email cabrisea the maker of eco earth, you may have gotten a rotten package, it not surpose to by flourite cloud, just like oxygen bubble cloudy thaat goes away in 4 hours

many people have gotten rotten package before, it is usually more sandy particle, post picutres?

 

[DanS]

Ah, ok... I suppose it is a slightly milky colour. Please take a look... If anything else looks wrong please let me know!!

I bag of eco-complete was added about 20hrs ago, and a further bag was added about 6 hours ago.

Cheers

If its any help, my first water test (before any plants or decor - just the substrate) gave the following:

Nitrate 50 mg/l
Nitrite 0 mg/l
GH > 10d
KH 6d
pH 7.6
Temp 21 degrees C (this has now gone up since the filter/heater have been running a while)

 

[Castellop123]

EcoComplete is not supposed to cloud the water like that... Frozenbarb could be right... rotton package...

Cheers...

 

[DanS]

Oh dear!!

What do you reckon i should do now?! The thought of getting all that lot out isn't the most pleasing of prospects i have to admit!!

Cheers

Dan

 

[nightlite]

how about doing a couple of close to 100% water changes.... since you don't have any fish and the tank has not cycled yet.

 

[frozenbarb]

the water with the eco complete should make a fast cycle, one question is the water permeters going crazy? was the liquid with the eco complete white when it was in the package? try emailing carib sea

 

[nry]

Did you tip the stuff into a pre-filled tank or did you add EC then add water? It will likely cloud really bad if you add it to a water-filled aquarium?

 

[DanS]

Thanks for the assistance guys, I left it over night and it was pretty clear this morning. Did around a 50% water change and here are the results, so i think the panic is over!

PS i added the eco-complete first, then the water.

Cheers

Dan

 

[Karl1987]

Looks alot better.

By the way those plants you have in the left hand corner at the back arent true aqautic plants so Id remove them now they will just die in a few weeks.

 

[DanS]

Cheers Karl. It may not show from the photo but the water is pretty much crystal clear.

Disappointing about the plants - the lfs sold them to me knowing it was for a planted aquarium. Thanks for the info.