New Tank Substrate question

[Redwing RC]

Hi I am new here and have a question for substrate. Setting up a shrimp and guppy planted 10G tank. I have Fluval Stratum and also the Eco-complete that co-op recommended. Should I mix the 2? or place the Stratum on the bottom with a cap of Eco-Complete on top? Thanks for any advice.

[KBOzzie59]

Here is a 10 gallon guppy/shrimp tank with just eco-complete.  Personally I think combining the two would be over kill.

 

[Jennifer V]

On 1/19/2022 at 7:27 PM, KBOzzie59 said:

Here is a 10 gallon guppy/shrimp tank with just eco-complete.  Personally I think combining the two would be over kill.

 

Love this! Look at all of those cute shrimp swimming around! 

[keddre]

This isn't an answer, just things to think about. I'm also pulling this info from the writing on the bags, and the amazon description.

Fluval Stratum: Mineral rich volcano dirt, may cause algae bloom before plants catch up (will happen in a new tank anyway), bigger grains so that it doesn't compact, will lower PH

eco-complete: wet gravel that's been soaking in a water bag so that it already has some Beneficial bacteria on it, not similar sized grains so it could compact (bag advertises that it won't), will raise PH, contains floraspore (Mycorrhiza fungi, quick google search below makes me skeptical) to increase plant nutrient uptake

 

article on fungi: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/mycorrhizae/

[BuzzDaddy21]

On 1/20/2022 at 7:41 AM, keddre said:

eco-complete:

Hi keddre, I`m no expert but I used a bag split between two tanks using gravel/sand with no problems. 

[Mydonkeyfish]

I use eco complete in my baby dwarf crayfish tank and they love it but my shrimp love my fluval stratum and my plants like that substrate more so i would go with fluval stratum.