Eco Complete Substrate Review

If you’re looking for a substrate that not only looks great but adds a lot of benefits to your tank, look no further than Carib Sea’s Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate.

It’s simply one of the best substrates on the market today.

Why do we say that?

It uses the same rich volcanic soil found in lush, gorgeous places like Hawaii and Costa Rica which adds a lot of benefits to any aquarium.

Plus, it also looks really great, too. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so special.

Eye Catching

One thing we have to mention right away is that this substrate is absolutely gorgeous. It contains volcanic soil which gives it a natural black color.

If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary that will make your aquarium pop, this is a great choice.

Ideal Home for Beneficial Bacteria

It can take a few weeks or months to get a good beneficial bacteria colony growing in an aquarium. This is one of the most important factors to maintaining a well-balanced environment and can be a challenge to establish.

One of the best things about Eco-Complete is that it’s pre-cycled so there is already some beneficial bacteria growing when you add it to the tank. It’s not enough for maximum efficiency, but it does give you a significant head start.

Because this material has been pre-cycled, don’t be surprised when you open the bag and find that it’s wet. In order to keep the bacteria growing and thriving when packaged, this product is wet-packed. In fact, you shouldn’t rinse it before use to leave the colonies as undisturbed as possible.

Another reason this substrate is so successful at supporting bacterial colonies is because it’s extremely porous. So, there are a lot of little nooks and crannies where beneficial bacteria thrives which is good news for you and your fish.

Naturally Packed with Beneficial Nutrients

We mentioned that Eco-Complete contains volcanic soil and how beautiful it looks but it’s also extremely beneficial to your tank.

Why?

It’s rich in nutrients that benefit your plants and fish while helping to keep the water balanced and hold off algae growth.

It has just everything your aquarium needs, including potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc, just to name a few.

Because you’re providing these essential nutrients, the fish and plants in your aquarium will be happier and healthier.

And here’s the best part.

All of these benefits come from nature. There’s not a single dye, chemical, or coating added to Eco-Complete substrate.

One more thing, these nutrients are a part of the substrate’s makeup so it will never need replacing.

Bi Modal

One of the coolest things about Eco-Complete is the bimodal grading. What that means is that there are both fine and large granules in the mix. They naturally sort themselves when added to an aquarium. The small granules sift to the bottom and the larger ones stay on the surface.

Because the fine granules move into the spaces and gaps between the larger one, air pockets are eliminated and the bottom of the tank gets full coverage.

There are a few benefits to this. First of all, it adds more dimension to the look of the tank. The small granules have a little bit of shine and sparkle which looks pretty awesome when it catches the light. The more important thing, though, is how it helps plant life.

The way the granules settle is perfect for plant life. Because the fine granules settle to the bottom, it’s easier for plants to root because they don’t have to work as hard as they would to get around larger granules. Roots cover a larger area, get more nutrients, and have increased stability.

Beautiful, Beneficial, Bi Modal

There’s a lot to love about Carib Sea’s Eco-Complete substrate. The major benefits stem from the rich volcanic soil that contains all of the elements needed to nourish plant life.

Because of the bimodal granules, plants have an easier time rooting. They grow stronger and help prevent algae growth by absorbing all of the available nutrients so there’s nothing left for anything unwelcome to grow.

Because this substrate is pre-cycled, establishing appropriate levels of beneficial bacteria is easier and happens more quickly. This is an essential part of setting up a new aquarium and very important to its future health. Eco-Complete makes it easy.

Not only does this awesome substrate from Carib Sea provide all of these amazing benefits, it also just looks really cool. The matte, black color has a little bit of sparkle that comes from the fine granules and creates a unique look when compared to other substrates.

Plus, your plants, fish, and tank decorations will really pop. This substrate is an excellent choice for growing a beautiful, healthy tank that will catch everyone’s eye.