Changing Gravel

[Durbkat]

I want to change the blue gravel in my 10g that has brown algae on it with some natural colored gravel, I also want to remove the UGF I have in it. So what is the best way to do this without causing tank to go into mini cycle?

 

[WILDER]

When you remove the ugf there will be loads of brown muck, just leave it and put the new sterlised gravel on top.

 

[Durbkat]

So it won't cause tank to go into mini cycle by removing the old gravel? Can I just remove the tubes and leave those black things that holds the tubes up?

 

[WILDER]

I would remove it all don't want any fish getting trapped.

 

[tttnjfttt]

i've also heard of people putting some old gravel in a pair of nylons (might need to explain this one to your mum about why you need them, keep her from getting strange ideas ) and leaving that in their tank to help get the bacteria to grow over onto the new gravel

 

[Durbkat]

They wouldn't get stuck in it if I cover it with gravel. So am I right thinking it won't cause a mini cycle removing the bacteria thats in the gravel? Should I remove the fish while doing this cause I would think that there would be alot of dirt and poop flying around the tank?

 

[WILDER]

You will be surprised what fish can do, stop being lazy.

Yes remove the fish.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I have heard of fish getting stuck under UGF filters before, when they are not properly assembled. Do you have an external filter in this tank as well? I can't speak from experience, but it seems like that removing all the gravel would cause a mini cycle, especially if that is your main bio source.

 

[Durbkat]

But you just said your self don't remove it because of all the brown yucky stuff under it.

Yes I do have an external filter, its a whisper power filter 20 that filters 10-20g.

 

[tttnjfttt]

That was someone else. Since you have the external filter you should be fine, no problems.

 

[WILDER]

I said remove the under gravel filter plate as the muck will still be there i've removed them as i hated them, and the muck underneath is awful but that is your beneifical bacteria.

 

[Durbkat]

So should I vac off the brown stuff under the plates before adding new gravel?

 

[WILDER]

No leave all the gunk in, might have to get some filter floss into the filter to remove the dirt and muck when you have finished.

 

[Durbkat]

All right heres the plan: remove fish into contaniers while changing gravel, remove gravel and UGF system, place new gravel in tank, let dirt settle, vac clean gravel, add fish. Is this a good plan?

 

[WILDER]

That sounds fine to me, good luck.