Substrate Help

[mishmash]

Thank you again yes I've been watching that thread too, been very interesting!!! I decided to get some Eco complete as it was cheaper than Ada hope its half decent will need further info on co2 and plants when u get to sorting it!!!

Jay

Out of interest, how much cheaper was your Eco to the ADA stuff ? I thought there was only a fiver in it for a big bag ? Well a fiver and one litre more in the Eco bag. And a fiver in it between Eco and Colombo florabase. I think Eco has a good rep, although like the rest it will leach ammonia (which you will doubtless keep on top of by frequent large water changes in the first few weeks, plus what the plants use up too of course. And that ammonia is a good thing for the bacterial side of the tank too). When do we start seeing pics of all this then ? Have you set up a journal post ?

 

[Jay1983]

Thank you again yes I've been watching that thread too, been very interesting!!! I decided to get some Eco complete as it was cheaper than Ada hope its half decent will need further info on co2 and plants when u get to sorting it!!!

Jay

Out of interest, how much cheaper was your Eco to the ADA stuff ? I thought there was only a fiver in it for a big bag ? Well a fiver and one litre more in the Eco bag. And a fiver in it between Eco and Colombo florabase. I think Eco has a good rep, although like the rest it will leach ammonia (which you will doubtless keep on top of by frequent large water changes in the first few weeks, plus what the plants use up too of course. And that ammonia is a good thing for the bacterial side of the tank too). When do we start seeing pics of all this then ? Have you set up a journal post ?

No i've not set one up but may do eventually? the eco complete cost £23.95 for 9kg I ended up buying 2 bags. I will try take a pic to show how tank is at the moment! With regards to the Ammonia yeah I will be doing daily water changes and tests. Tank has been set up for around a year now and as soon as I get the substrate I will be buying a lot of plants to plant the same time as I add the substrate so shouldn't be too bad.
http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-ornaments/natural-gravels-and-sand/aquarium-plant-substrates/caribsea-eco-complete-substrate.html

Ok some photos... sorry for poor quality camera is old and I'm not much good with them. Also sorry about the water marks! will remove them after adding new substrate, any ideas on best ways to remove them??

Jay

 

[ian]

hey Jay, the pics look good. It's nice to see a main plant in a scape sometimes. As for the eco stuff, it doesn't leach ammonia in the water column. It's a nice looking substrate...it doesn't contain any Nitrate or phosphates, so look out for deficiencies, it only contains trace. If this was my tank i would personally think about some source of carbon due to the lighting levels. You tank has quite high light...

 

[Jay1983]

hey Jay, the pics look good. It's nice to see a main plant in a scape sometimes. As for the eco stuff, it doesn't leach ammonia in the water column. It's a nice looking substrate...it doesn't contain any Nitrate or phosphates, so look out for deficiencies, it only contains trace. If this was my tank i would personally think about some source of carbon due to the lighting levels. You tank has quite high light...

Hi Ian I have just started dossing exel and flourish. I have a CO2 bottle and am saving up for a regulator with Solenoid. My sister bought me a tmc V2CO2 Refillable Bottle 567g, reason she got this 1 is that my lfs only refills these bottles. The only trouble is I think it has an American standard fitting which is hindering my search for the regulator as the official one is quite pricey. "the main plant is about 5-6 amazon swords which need replanting. My lighting is an all pond solution t5 over tank thing! 2 x 39w.. I am very pleased with it!

I would like to add more crypts and do a hair grass carpet. When I add the new substrate should I add anything with it?

Thanks for all the help so far people!

Jay

 

[ian]

you need to look at dosing some Nitrate and phosphate once you start dosing carbon. At the light will up the need for carbon, the carbon will up the need for N and P, then the micro ferts come into play. I would suggest you start with some TPN+ to begin with

or Aqua essentials do there own brand, they do there own brand liquid carbon as well.

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/water-parameters-fertilisers-c-544_208.html?zenid=a43074940e966e9b2c51471a4846309b

 

[mishmash]

hey Jay, the pics look good. It's nice to see a main plant in a scape sometimes. As for the eco stuff, it doesn't leach ammonia in the water column. It's a nice looking substrate...it doesn't contain any Nitrate or phosphates, so look out for deficiencies, it only contains trace. If this was my tank i would personally think about some source of carbon due to the lighting levels. You tank has quite high light...

LOL, I was going by what I was told at the LFS about the ammonia leaching with the eco I should have known better.... Its a good price that !

 

[Jay1983]

you need to look at dosing some Nitrate and phosphate once you start dosing carbon. At the light will up the need for carbon, the carbon will up the need for N and P, then the micro ferts come into play. I would suggest you start with some TPN+ to begin with

or Aqua essentials do there own brand, they do there own brand liquid carbon as well.

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/water-parameters-fertilisers-c-544_208.html?zenid=a43074940e966e9b2c51471a4846309b

I had read good things about the TPN+ and was wanting to get some where would you recommend the best place to buy some?

Jay

 

[ian]

TPN + is a good fert, it contains everything needed by plants, trace and NKP. Sometimes the N and P isn't needed, but in you case with the carbon addition, you'll be best to dose some.

It's on that link i sent you^^^up there, i think on the second page.

 

[Jay1983]

TPN + is a good fert, it contains everything needed by plants, trace and NKP. Sometimes the N and P isn't needed, but in you case with the carbon addition, you'll be best to dose some.

It's on that link i sent you^^^up there, i think on the second page.

yes thank you its on the last page! didn't look properly. thank you

Jay

 

[Jay1983]

Hello again back with more questions! My Eco complete has finally arrived! I have read alot about substances that are clay based I believe that will take in and hold nutrients from the water column, Eco complete doesn't do this does it? As a lot of people seem to use cat litter would it be beneficial to add some cat litter then top it off with the eco complete? would this work or would it all mix together?

I have bought in some more plants ready.

I am thinking of leaving the right side or a portion of the right side as sand, and using the Eco complete for the left side where the crypts are would this work ok?

Whats the best way to clean my tanks glass and remove the horrible water marks??

Jay

 

[mishmash]

You can get aquarium cleaning pads that look like pan scourers but are made of material that will not leave scratches. Most LFS's do them I believe. If you are draining the tank down you could add a little vinegar and that should shift it but be sure to give that part of the glass a good wipe over afterwards with a damp cloth then a dry one.

 

[Jay1983]

You can get aquarium cleaning pads that look like pan scourers but are made of material that will not leave scratches. Most LFS's do them I believe. If you are draining the tank down you could add a little vinegar and that should shift it but be sure to give that part of the glass a good wipe over afterwards with a damp cloth then a dry one.

Thank you. Yes I will be emptying the tank so doing that will not be a problem.

Jay