Re:Carib Sea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate

["Charles Kuehnl" <ckuehnl at cox_net>]

> Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 13:00:44 -0600
> From: "Don Matakis" <dmatakis at charter_net>
> Subject: Re:Carib Sea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate
> 
> Marty Wrote:
> > I searched the data base for information on this product and found
no
> useful
> > information on this product.  Has anyone used it? Or have an opinion
on
> it?
> > I thought I might put 2 or 3 bags on the bottom then cover with
Flourish.
> It
> > would go into a 90 gallon tank.
> 
> I just received some sample bags from Carib-Sea, I will test them and
let
> you know the results. I used them in an aquascape in an LFS, however I
have
> no control over the parameters there, and sure enough when I arrived
> yesterday they had the temp up to 87 degrees, the water level was
below the
> glass, etc. They have been using this substrate over in Europe for
some time
> according to their technical expert. It comes wet complete with
> Heterotrophic bacteria to rapid cycle a tank, has organics, says that
it is
> unsurpassed MacroPorosity for healthy roots and bacterial efficiency.
It is
> iron rich, so no need for Flourite, Nitrate and carbonate free,made of
> basaltic material with Bi-Modal grading that naturally separates into
2
> distinct layers, Fine layer on the bottom and coarse layer on top
which
> conveys oxygen and nutrients to the roots.  Also contains Calcium,
> Magnesium, Potassium, Sulpher, plus over 25 other elements including
all the
> traces. Says 1-2 lbs. per gallon, 2 is better, comes in 20 lb. bags.
No
> artificial dyes, paints, or chemical coatings, all natural. Oh and it
is
> black. The grains are spherical for optimum diffusion performance they
say.
> And on the calcium content, they say it will not raise the PH.  Whew!
It's
> not up on their web site yet. Hope that helps, I will let you know the
> results of my testing, I plan to test it under varying conditions. In
their
> multiple trials, they claim that it produced lush growth. 

I hope to start up another tank soon and was interested when I saw
Caribsea's ad for Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate.  It was no
surprise when I saw Marty's original post just a day or so later but was
disappointed that nobody responded.  I also looked at their website and
found nothing.  I was about to post hoping to prod you more
knowledgeable people into looking into this and to also contact Caribsea
about this product.  Then today I got APD v6 #14.  As I suspected would
happen, some of the curious minds here are on top of it.  

One thing I did not see though was any indication of its physical
characteristics.  Course on top and fines on the bottom is normal
procedure in a tank, but that is not very quantitative.  Can you tell us
how big it is?  Also, you mention the shape is spherical.  Are there any
rough edges (like Flourite) or are they more like smooth micro
bio-balls?  

How much does a 20 lb bag cost?  Where can one get it?  I have yet to
see it anywhere on the web or in a LFS.

> I have invited him to join the list to help answer any future
questions that might come up.
> Regards, Don Matakis
 
That would be nice!  I hope he does.  I have found Greg Morin's posts to
be very helpful and wish more in the industry would be as helpful on
this list as he is.  I cannot speak for anyone else, but it makes me
more inclined to buy his products.
 
Thanks
Charles