SamLovesCorys said:
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I might take all the plants out and start again... What do you guys think about that? Also, I'd quite like to change the gravel. Is that possible with the fish in the tank?
Wrote this all out then lost it all - arrghhh - hate it when that happens - now you get the shortened version!
Yes you can do that but I would temporarily house your fish in a small quarantine tank or a container, I think it was Techen that recently posted something on containers.
Also, take a look at this
TOPIC as it discusses some substrate options that have been successful.
It is difficult to see what substrate you have in your tank at present, it looks like a mixture of types? You would definitely find a darker substrate shows your fish off better than white.
If you want plants look at the media that goes under the substrate i.e. JBL Florabase, there are others too.
NB: keep some of the original substrate to help seed the new substrate with the BB. Ensure you keep it wet in aquarium water, then put it into a stocking or two and then add it to the tank once the new substrate is in there.
Is this your only aquarium or do you have others? This is when I lost the info I had typed as I went to have a look at your profile, but never got there!