Nelsontreyjones
Aquarium Advice Activist
I was just wondering will it make a big difference switching from pool filter sand to eco complete. Is it worth all the trouble.
What are your goals?
IMO... EC is definitely a step up to sand in the planted tank arena. Sand is inert and doesn't offer much to plants w/out the need to constantly put in root tabs. EC has trace elements -- albeit minute amounts. However, EC has a high CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) which enables the substrate to absorb nutrients and time-release it back to the plants. Plus, EC is an attractive substrate that doesn't disintegrate and plants root well in it... I say go for it...all the pros outweigh the cons!
Yes I think so if your "goal" (as what Convict asked) was to dive in to planted tanks, then it's a good investment. If you're not too crazy about planted tanks and just want to stick with low light plants for instance, then sticking with sand is fine... I had 100% sand substrate in my low light planted tank and it did okay.
^^ Tank looks great. Plants look green and no algae.. How long has that tank been up with those plants?