Eco-Complete, Flora Base and Volcanit

["Charles Kuehnl" <ckuehnl at cox_net>]

I know that recently there were a couple of posts about Carib Sea's
Eco-Complete but I have not seen any follow up comments.  I realize it
is a bit soon but did anyone have any success with it?

I also have recently seen ads for a couple of other substrate products
and was wondering if anyone knew about them or could tell me something
based on the information the companies have released. 

Red Sea has a substrate called FloraBase.  Their website
(http://www.redseafish.com then click on What's New) describes Flora
Base as (the following are excerpts from the site):
It's completely pH balanced and will actually remove cloudiness from the
aquarium water. FloraBase is made from natural ingredients including
river bottom clays and naturally occurring organic compounds that have
been formed into a soft, porous, granular structure that is easily
penetrated by growing roots. The porous structure also allows plant
nutrients to be released to the surrounding water so that no additional
fertilizers need be added.  Their ad even says "No additional Carbon
Dioxide system required".  FloraBase is pH stabilized and will assist in
maintaining the correct pH beneficial for aquatic plants. The natural
properties inherent in FloraBase actively absorb floating substances
removing cloudiness from the aquarium water.  FloraBase should NOT be
rinsed prior to addition to the aquarium or mixed with gravel or other
substrates.

The bag says it is an excellent filter media when combined with an under
gravel filter more than once.  It will maintain a stable pH between 6.5
and 7.0 and it is not recommended for use with fish that need a pH>7.0.
It takes about an hour for the pH to stabilize after first use.  If you
have GH > 8.0, the resultant pH may be above 7.0.  What I found most
interesting was "For best results replace FloraBase after 12 months".
Now wouldn't that be fun!  As if tank maintenance and chemistry wasn't
enough.  I guess that is to replenish the carbon contributing material
in the substrate.

I also have noticed a substrate from AB Aqualine called Volcanit.  I did
a search but could find nothing in the archives.  That is not surprising
- considering my skill at internet searches it would be more surprising
if I found something.; )  The AB website
(http://www.ab-aqualine.de/eng/index_e.htm) describes the product as
(excerpts from their site): 
Volcanit is a pH neutral aquarium gravel of volcanic origin. The fine
pore- structure of the gravel encourages bacterial activity that
enhances the biological release of nutrients in the gravel.  Volcanit is
mixed with 5% ferrolit; a zeolite bound long term iron fertilizer. The
resultant black and red color of the Volcanit enhances the beauty of the
aquarium plants and the color of your fish.

Does anyone have any experience with these last two?  Can those in the
know surmise anything from the descriptions?  Excluding FloraBase which
explicitly says not to mix with anything else, can or should you use
these with other substances (gravel, laterite, substrate fertilizers,
etc.)?

I know many of you will say get some Flourite or Onyx.  I have some
Flourite and have used it with success.  I would use it on this new tank
but there will be a lot of it and the color just does not look good in
the room the new tank is going in (after all the decorating we have done
I have to keep my wife happy).  My tap water is about 12-13 KH so I am a
little afraid of using something like Onyx that might further increase
my KH.  Although I like the color of FloraBase I am a little reluctant
to use it for similar reasons:  not sure what the pH buffer in it is,
how that buffer affects CO2 addition (pH table - although they say it is
not required), wondering what pH I would end up with at GH and KH around
12 to 13, and definitely do not want to replace everything in a year.

Thanks
Charles