Is Eco-complete substrate safe for clown loaches?

[AngelicBeaver]

I am in the process of setting up an 85 gallon planted aquarium for 4 or 5 clown loaches and posssibly some rainbow fish. I have heard good things about Eco-complete as a substrate for plants, but have read that sand is best for clown loaches.

Do any of you use eco-complete? If so, how do you use it? I see several ways to go (these are inexperienced guesses):

1. Eco-complete by itself

2. EC as a base layer and a couple of inches of sand on top

3. EC in the planted areas and sand "pits" for the loaches to burrow in

I also liked the fact that EC is dark and would show fish colors better.

Any insight is welcome.

Thank you,
Nathaniel

[Bully]

I have Eco-Complete in my South American tank covered with a layer of fine sand. I personally wouldn't use it with loaches it's too coarse in my opinion and could lead to infected barbels etc. Even on the Caribsea website Eco-Complete is not recommended for burrowers, which would include those that like to dig in the substrate in my opinion.

I have also used SeaChem Flourite Black Sand in my loach tank and even that was too course for my loaches to root about in until I cut it 50/50 with some fine black sand.

I don't keep Clown Loaches but I believe there's a good chance that anything you plant into the substrate will be uprooted, you may do better with plants that can be rooted to wood or rocks. Many plants will survive being rooted to wood or rocks, not just the standard fare of Java fern and mosses. For example, I've seen Staurogyne sp. rooted to rocks.

[NancyD]

I have eco in a tank with striatas & sids for 2-3 years. There hasn't been any barbel damage. They can but don't often dig into it very far. The smaller grains work toward the bottom so not much food or waste is deep.

I think sand is a better choice for large clowns but since an 85g can't be considered a "forever home" I don't see a problem for now. (they'll eventually outgrow the tank)

[Diana]

I use Eco Complete with Soil Master Select or Turface in planted tanks. I have not seen my Clown Loaches digging, but Kuhlies and Dojos will plow through this mix as easily as they swim through water. (Makes catching them very difficult!)