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ADA Aquasoil vs. Eco Complete
In our comparison of ADA Aquasoil vs. Eco Complete, we’ll analyze each type’s features to help you pick the right type of
A
Finding the best
Contents
ADA Aquasoil Review
Get ADA AquasoilThis is a premium freshwater active
What are the Features of ADA Aquasoil?
With traces of decomposed leaf mulch, ADA Aquasoil is rich in organic nutrients that promote the root systems’ growth.
Appearance
The
Once you add this
Nutrients
ADA Aquasoil is extremely rich in organic nutrients and necessary elements that nourish the plants in your aquarium. The composition of the soil encourages the transformation of fish waste into food for the plants, keeping them alive and healthy. At the same time, as the
Using this
Effect
Plants can successfully suck the nutrients to grow fast in your aquarium when you add this
PH Buffer
When used with a depth level between 1 and 3 inches, ADA Aquasoil will bring the PH level down in your aquarium. This is excellent for different types of fish and shrimps that can be extra sensitive to the PH level.
Ammonia Spikes
Just like any other type of
The Pros and Cons of ADA Aquasoil
Here are some of the pros of ADA Aquasoil.
- This is an active
substrate with tons of nutrients. - The granules promote explosive plant growth.
- ADA Aquasoil buffers the PH level, making the process of monitoring your aquarium less time-consuming.
Here are some of the cons of ADA Aquasoil
- This
substrate needs time to cycle. Otherwise, it will increase the level of ammonia in your aquarium. - The granules stir up quickly. If you’re likely to move your plants a lot, this
substrate might not be the right one for you.
Here is a great video from DMichaels Fish Den about some of the ADA Aquasoil, it’s part one of a two-part series and worth the watch if you are considering using ADA as a
Eco Complete Review
Get Eco CompleteThis
Nevertheless, it discourages the growth of algae to keep the food for your plants. The spherical grains are highly porous and contain bacteria that convert fish waste into food for your aquatic plants.
What are the Features of Eco Complete?
Eco Complete is rich in microorganisms that quickly establish balance to encourage your plants’ fast growth while creating the perfect environment for your fish and other aquatic animals.
Appearance
Because this
When you open the bag, you will notice that the particles are wet, as they have been washed to encourage the growth of bacteria. You can also see the little nooks and crannies where the bacteria will grow.
Nutrients
Eco Complete is made of natural volcanic soil, which looks attractive but is also packed with essential nutrients that encourage the growth of the root systems in your aquarium. These nutrients promote the fast growth of your aquatic plants while keeping your fish healthy.
At the same time, they prevent the growth of algae, which compete with your plants for the same type of food. The nutrients are all naturally sourced because this
Effect
The smaller particles settle at the bottom of the aquarium, allowing the roots to grow and expand quickly. Eco Complete promotes faster plant growth as the root system doesn’t have to work hard around the large granules to suck out the nutrients.
Beneficial Bacteria
With other types of
This doesn’t mean that you don’t need to cycle this
Bimodal Grading
Since Eco Complete is made of small and large granules, the particles will arrange themselves thanks to the bimodal grading. The smaller particle will sit at the bottom of the aquarium while the larger particles stay on top. This will eliminate air pockets, as the smaller particles will fill the gaps in the soil.
The Pros and Cons of Eco Complete
Here are some of the pros of Eco Complete.
- The
substrate is packed with 30 necessary nutrients and microorganisms that maintain the health of your plants. - Thanks to the bimodal grading, the smaller granules will settle at the bottom, allowing the roots to grow faster.
- The
substrate is pre-rinsed and pre-cycled, so it can be used immediately in your aquarium.
Here are some of the cons of Eco Complete.
- Eco complete contains fewer nutrients than the ones found in ADA Aquasoil. You can add root tabs to Eco Complete if you want to grow nutrient-hungry plants.
- Cleaning the
substrate can be a little challenging since the smaller particles might be siphoned out while using a gravel vacuum.
Which One is the Winner?
Both ADA Aquasoil and Eco Complete are excellent substrates that you can use to create the perfect environment for your aquatic plants. ADA Aquasoil is rich in nutrients and will support the growth of hungry-nutrient plants while balancing the PH level to keep your fish and aquatic animals in perfect state.
Eco Complete contains fewer nutrients, so you might need to add fertilizers right from the start. However, this
Although Eco Complete is more affordable than ADA Aquasoil, you should consider the value of the fertilizers and root tabs that you will probably have to add right from the beginning. ADA Aquasoil won’t need any fertilizers, at least for the first year. After that, the pellets will start to lose their shape and nutrients, so more fertilizers should be added until it’s time to substitute the whole
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eco complete a good substrate ?
This substrate is made from rich volcanic basalt, which contains iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium, with a total of 30 elements that encourage the growth of aquatic plants. The
Nevertheless, it discourages the growth of algae to keep the food for your plants. The spherical grains are highly porous and contain bacteria that convert fish waste into food for your aquatic plants.
How long does eco complete last?
While the
What is eco complete made of?
Eco Complete is made of natural volcanic soil, which looks attractive but is also packed with essential nutrients that encourage the growth of the root systems in your aquarium. These nutrients promote the fast growth of your aquatic plants while keeping your fish healthy.
At the same time, they prevent the growth of algae, which compete with your plants for the same type of food. The nutrients are all naturally sourced because this
Wrap Up
Both ADA Aquasoil and Eco Complete are excellent
If you’re looking for something more affordable, you can choose Eco Complete. It comes pre-cycled and needs a little bit of maintenance by adding fertilizers, but the inert nature of the
Further Reading: Be sure to check out our round-up Best Substrate For A Planted Tank and learn which substrates promote the fastest plant growth.