9 replies to this topic

[Donna]

Hi everyone,

I was in Better Pets and Gardens today and saw some aquatic potting mix. Has anyone ever tried this in an aquarium, maybe with some fine gravel or sand over the top? It seemed a reasonable price, although I am not so bothered about price as availability. The only shop I have seen Eco Complete in for example is the Norma Road, Booragoon shop, so this would be a great solution to my availability problems when setting up planted tanks.

Thanks,

Donna

[Jezza]

if you are looking for eco complete - best price i found was at Midland Aquariums ($40/bag a year ago)

[Brett]

Hi Donna,

Am not familiar with that particular product, but found similar products were designed for aquatic plants in ponds.
When I experimented with some in an aquarium, I got a substantial ammonia spike .. high enough to be lethal to fish.
It disappeared after a while, but care is required.


Cheers
Brett

[shortie]

if you are looking for eco complete - best price i found was at Midland Aquariums ($40/bag a year ago)

i could get it for $27 a bag or 10/$250

[Donna]

Hi Shortie,

I am assuming you mean Eco Complete. Maybe if anyone is interested, we could do a group buy? I am only setting up small planted tanks and could really only do with a couple of bags.

Regards,

Donna

[Mr_docfish]

Hi everyone,

I was in Better Pets and Gardens today and saw some aquatic potting mix. Has anyone ever tried this in an aquarium, maybe with some fine gravel or sand over the top? It seemed a reasonable price, although I am not so bothered about price as availability. The only shop I have seen Eco Complete in for example is the Norma Road, Booragoon shop, so this would be a great solution to my availability problems when setting up planted tanks.

Thanks,

Donna

I am sure you are talking about the Richgro product (we sell it for pond plants)

It is a zeolite based product and not recommended (buy forum users) for aquarium use (you can add some to the bottom layer if you must, like you would with Laterite or other additives)

Type in those same key words on the "Aquarium Life" forum, and you will get all the run down you'll need.... no need to double up here...

[Donna]

Hi Oliver,

I have been a member of Aquarium life since August I think. Hard to believe I know, but I have never made a post!

Regards,

Donna

[Tim73]

Gday All

I just saw this post, just want to make a small correction to what Docfish posted. My company is Richgro Garden products and we sell the Aquatic Planting Mix that has been mentioned. The product is not Zeolite based it is a material called Spongelite and basically it is million year old fossilised sea sponge. We mine it from our mine in Kendenup, down near Mount Barker. It has a neutral pH that has no buffering capacity so will not alter pH. We do wash the product but also recomend some further washing as with any substrate. I have used different size granules for Aquarium substrate with no ill effects, even rocks of it for decoration. I am playing with it at the moment as a filter media as it is amazing in its ability to hold onto nutrients and being a "sponge" not just a rock it is quite unique. It is up to the end user if they wish to use it as a substrate. No offence intended here I am just trying to help out, Docfish I will make myself known next time I am in your store as I frequent it regularily. Any other questions I am happy to answer. This is not intended as a commercial post and if it is taken the wrong way I am happy for it to be deleted or moderated.

Cheers

Tim

[Mr_docfish]

Thanks Tim,
Sorry if my post sounded anti richgro - not intended we sell it ourselves (thanks to you...)
I could not put my finger on it's exact chemical make up, so to be simplistic, I grouped it in with the zeolites... (almost similar) - thanks for clearing it up - now I have to read this one up to find more about it....

For aquariums, as a soil additive, I would recommend it as with other forms of additives like Laterite etc.... but as a single type of substrate, I would say it is up to personal preference... just like ADA soils, some love it to death, but many hate it (for different reasons) (again, Aquarium Life forum members have done a lot of mucking around with all sorts of substrates http://www.aquariuml...display.php?f=5 ) one would have to look at the product closely and determine its good and bad points..

Tim, do you have any links to the web where we can read up on this, in regards to its chemical structure, adsorption capabilities etc??

[Matt_1]

Hey Donna, a bit old and you've probably solved any problems you had but I used this in my aquarium.. don't recommend it. Clouds water easily as it just turns to mush easily and it's not pretty. Barely noticed any change in plant growth between this and silica sand.

Cheers,
Matt