swapping substrate

[TheFighterFish]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be swapping in my eco-complete in the next few weeks or so. Currently, I have coarse (big) gravel. Looks like this in the pic:

But my question is, will there be any significant reason to keep some of the old substrate? The tank is fully cycled for nearly a year.

I've read that it might be easier for some plants to grow with big gravel. I kinda wish now that I had just gone with 2 bags of natural color instead of mixing with jade.

 

[VirgoWolf]

Nah, just out with the old and in with the new. Eco is great in that aspect. (along with every other aspect besides price )

 

[TheFighterFish]

Here's the thing,

I used some of the eco on my 5 gallon. So in a 20 lbs bag, I only have half remaining. Maybe less...
If I am forced to use my old substrate, should it be on the top or bottom layer?

 

[Lotus]

A half a bag of Eco won't be enough for a 20g tank. I'd wait until you can get another bag. There's nothing worse than changing the substrate, which you'll decide you want to do if you decide to use old gravel and Eco.

 

[TheFighterFish]

It's a 10 G. Sorry if I was unclear.

 

[Lotus]

You basically need a whole bag for a 10g tank.

 

[VirgoWolf]

I wouldn't think it would matter much, but probably new on bottom old on top would work.

 

[TheFighterFish]

In the process of swapping substrates I came up with some more ideas.

After reading an article by Takashi Amano, I decided to mix certain substrates. In the article, he mentions that there are 3 layers that he actually mixes. In order from bottom to top it reads: nutrient substrate, normal substrate, and powder type.

In my plan, I am thinking about using the eco as either the top or bottom layer and pure laterite as the normal substrate. I think I will abandon the current gravel I have right now.

First Layer Pure Laterite

What do y'all think?