Using Activated carbon as substrate additive?

[ColeMan]

No personal experience, but try here. It seems as though it really isn't an isolated incident since so many people have been affected...poor quality control. I was going to use EcoComplete until i started hearing this type of chatter everywhere, so I decided to go with aquasoil... eco-complete very coarse - The Planted Tank Forum

The potential hassle simply isn't worth it. CaribSea asking customers to return samples of the bad product in pill bottles for refunds? Please...

[dougz]

Interesting, thanks..

Well, if mine isn't up to snuff (5 bags), it's going back..

[Brian]

Well my Eco complete comes with some grey gravel in it but still pea size te color is most black

[Pat7676]

My Eco complete i sware has changed from black to gray over the past 2 years.

[ColeMan]

Originally Posted by Pat7676

My Eco complete i sware has changed from black to gray over the past 2 years.

this is the whole issue; inconsistent gravel size and color...almost everyone who's bought a bag that I know has had a problem, and considering how expensive it is, I sure wouldn't be happy about it...especially since they're hassling people about refunding their money!

[Brian]

is expensive but aquasoil is more expensive. in Puerto Rico dont sells aquasoil only eco complete and is 20 dollars a bag. Is more cheap than some tipes of gravel.

[ColeMan]

at $20/bag I would hope that quality would be flawless...I just saw another thread (a journal) with a tank that was using ecocomplete....you can see the inconsistencies in the substrate like CRAZY!! There are large red and grey stones everywhere!! This, in my opinion, is unacceptable...aquasoil is the way to go; although a bit more expensive (or completely unavailable depending on where you live), it's worth every penny.

If I weren't using AS in the tank i'm setting up now, I'd definitely try my hand at mixing up some of the mineralized substrate discussed in this months issue - in fact, i'm trying to convince someone else i know to try it so i can see the results firsthand (and help along the way)!

[dougz]

What IS Aquasoil, anyways?

[ColeMan]

about as close as I can come to an answer to your question comes from their website:

"Made from specially processed natural material from the earth."

So, to answer your question: it's just glorified (and expensive) dirt!

Although the following aspects make it different from your run o' the mill 'free dirt:'

Colloid particles capture dirt floating in the water, without any chemical treatment.
Gives clarity to the water and creates conditions ideal for healthy growth of aquatic plants.
Helps to lower the hardness level of the water.
Helps to bring the pH level of the water down to an ideal level for most of the aquatic plants.
Composed of granules of size and density ideal for the fast development of healthy plant root systems, rather conventional substrates such as sand.
Granules maintain their shape for a long period in water, holding air between them, which is vital for the long time maintenance of a planted aquarium.
Used with Power Sand stimulates the fast colonization of bacteria in the substrate and creates perfect conditions for plant root systems.
Most desirable pH level for most aquatic plants(ph 5.5 - 6.5) to develop their root systems."

so...yeah...it's something all right, but exactly what that something is is probably proprietary...

[Brian]

Aquasoil is the best as you say but here not sell that and by internet it cost a fortune with the shipping

[ColeMan]

have you ever used anything besides ecocomplete, brian? and, if so, how were the results? what other substrates do you have access to?

[Brian]

Floramax and laterite.

Result? For all, I need to fertilize.

I only bough Eco for the color, and it isnt all black but I like it more than gravel or floramax.

[jfrank85]

I got some eco complete about 6 months ago and again about 1 month ago. The 6 month old eco was very small grained and consistant while the newer one had big and small pebbles and wasnt all black. Almost like it was a mix of eco complete and regular gravel. Quite dissapointing.

[Brian]

Not is a mix, I was reading And it is extracted. I think that black color is runing out.

[ColeMan]

Originally Posted by Brian

Not is a mix, I was reading And it is extracted. I think that black color is runing out.

you think the black color is running out of your ecocomplete?

[dougz]

Here's a pic of a bag of eco-complete of mine:




It IS quite gravelly and red..

Maybe I WILL take them back and get some Aquasoil..

But it says it lowers pH and Hardness, and my water is ALREADY going to be pretty acidic and soft, with the R/O water cut with tap water..

Thoughts?

[mmarino]

I just received 12 bags from Dr's F&S and they are 99+% black - only a few odd grey and red pieces here and there. I can't comment on grain size as this is my first experience with EC (I'm away from home so I can't post a pic), but it's exactly what I expected. The only issue I had is a few bags leaked during shipping.

FWIW,
Cheers, Mike

[dougz]

The only issue I had is a few bags leaked during shipping

Mine too..

I think they are all going back..

I'll either do the Aquasoil, or more Moonsand..

[ColeMan]

here's a really good thread on aquasoil you might want to read ADA Aqua Soil common misconception - The Planted Tank Forum. You might note that it was started by jeff senske (over at ADANA); the information contained is very good, and many people chime in about their experiences. This should answer most questions you may have. Sorry to hear about your ecocomplete; it really looks bad (sorry). Make sure to contact CaribSea immediately and inform them of your dissatisfaction; from what I've heard I think they might have begun to fix the problem, or at least release more bags of non-faulty product (I think they're still selling the old bags as a what you see is what you get type of thing)...

[dougz]

Ok, thanks!

Sounds like it's clay-based..

So would putting it on top of laterite be overkill, I wonder?