How to add ecocomplete to existing sand substrate

[SusieQ]

Hi everyone... Hope you are all having a great new year.
As many know I have a 120 gallon 4x2x2 existing tank with semi adult discus and a pool filter sand substrate with driftwood and anubas. I tried the swords in clay pots and really would rather have them in the substrate.
So I got some eco complete and want to add it to the right side of the tank either by itself or covered with the sand. That way the right hand side will be well planted and the left mostly driftwood and anubas..
Questions;;; I've never used eco complete before..
How much do I need to rinse the eco completete so as to not have an algae outbreak since the tank is already up and running with nitrates showing around 5 or so...
How can I add it to the tank... I have no other place for 8 large discus so they are staying in the tank while I do this... it would stress them much more to be netted out and crammed into a 10 gallon plastic qt tank..
I figure I can lower the water level, turn off the filters and gently move the sand on the right to the center of the tank...
but how to add the eco complete is the big question LOL... I thought perhaps a funnel with hose attached like an oil change funnel... I found one and can attach 1 inch diamete hose to it... Do you think this would work>> Am I gonna have a major mess in the tank... will my discus be ok in there.. Is it gonna have to settle... Can I do a water change right away or does it need to settle for a day or so?? Can I add sand on top or will it just settle beneath it eventually anyways?? If so will a part dark and non sand substrate affect the discus??
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated by both me and my flat little friends as would any additional info re ecocomplete...
Thanks so much..... Sue

[ILLUSN]

you dont need to was eco complete, you can just tip it in (i do when i need to top up my substrate) it will cloud your tank for a day or 2.

just tip it in where you want it and cover it with sand so it blends in with the rest of your tank, your discus wont mind, the water will clear rapidly.

[SusieQ]

Thanks Illusn... You were right it wasn't as big a mess as I expected. I used the funnel and hose, turned off the filters, lowered the water level and had at it. My spawning gold masters didn't even stop guarding their eggs and the others just moved out off my way... I think I was bothered more by the little bit of cloudiness more than the discus.. I did the one side and then some planting and then covered it with my sand... now I NEED MORE PLANTS.. might even do the other side too later on.. LOL.. also thinking of moving over my amanos from the other tank to join in the fun once I have the plants set how I want them... Thanks again Sue

[ILLUSN]

SusieQ where are you located? if you want more plamnts i might be able to help, depending on what you were after?

[SusieQ]

Hi again...
Illusn thanks for the plant offer but I am in the US in the mountains of Georgia so I'm afraid that's not gonna work... I would love it but I don't think it can happen... If it can I would love whatever you could send.

Do you think, other than maybe showing a bit more peppering, my discus would react negatively to the eco complete without the sand on top in some areas??Do you think it will find its way to the top of the pool filter sand as the tank is not gonna be completely planted??

I just want to say that you are one of the kindest, most responsive and most informative people and site's I've ever had the oppurtunity to be part of.
Thanks for being there for all of us.. I will keep you updated on my progress.
Thanks again.... Sue

[ILLUSN]

No worries SusieQ, Your right i wont be able to send plants to the US.

the Eco sand layering should be fine, the sand is finer and will eventually work its way down through the substrate, but if that happens you can always top up with a bit more on top, I use Eco im my plnted tank and theres no ileffects to the discus (except for the darker peppering on the pigions)