bulking eco-complete

[soton_dave]

put 3 bags in my tank the weekend,but ideally would need another 2-3 bags to get the slope im looking for(but at £25 a bag i just cant afford it).
any opinions on using silica sand as a base to get the general slope then using a gravel tidy over the top(to stop the sand mixing) then the eco-complete over the top of that,it would only be used at the back of the tank and would have a good 3-4cm layer of eco-complete over the top,my main concern is the sand going bad/toxic.


any advice?

 

[ceg4048]

Hi,
If you grow the plants properly then they will oxygenate the substrate and you shouldn't have a problem. This means plenty of CO2 and nutrients, good maintenance - and lighting levels appropriate for the amount of added CO2.

Cheers,

 

[TLH]

£25 per bag!!! Where did you get it from? I paid £17 each for mine from aquaticsonline if that helps.

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh I don't see a problem with bulking out EC, hell you can grow plants in pure sand so you should be fine with and EC/gravel mix 🙂

Sam

 

[soton_dave]

thanks for the replies 😀
would i be better with sand or gravel?
im thinking sand would be best because it would hold the slope better being smaller therefore locking together better,but if i knew i wouldnt be asking this question....lol

gonna be asking more questions in the other sections so any advice on those welcomed

thanks so far dave

 

[ceg4048]

Hi,
If you want to hold a slope it might be better to hold it with a vertical retaining wall under the substrate. Gravity and flow will take it's toll no matter which material you use.

Cheers,