Changing Tank Around

[Jess]

Hey,

I REALLY dont like the way my 10 gal looks, i hate the gravel and the plants and its just really boring!!!

To start off with i want to get rid of all my old gravel and get some new to put in it. Will this cause a problem? Obviously the filter will be the same but im just concerned about the whole bacteria thing... Sorry, not an expert on the technical stuff! lol

I have some really cute fish and dont want to lose any of them by doing this, but i really need to change my tank a bit!

After ive sorted the gravel im going to be buying some nice new plants to brighten it up a bit! That shouldn't cause the fish any problems, as far as i know anyway!!!

So, is someone going to tell me that ill kill all my fish by doing this? lol

Jess

 

[MAM]

since the gravel holds beneficial bacteria, change it out slowly. some people divide off a section of the tank and change it that way a section at time. i did it by scooping out a section and replacing it just before i did a water change, since it stirs up muck. don't do it all at once, you'll loose the bacteria and your tank could re-cycle. big mess.
as for teh rest, if you do all the plants and decor changes all at once, it could be stressful, so keep that in mind.
best of luck , show us some pics of the new setup when you have it complete

 

[David]

No it won't be a problem. Changing the gravel won't really affect your biological filter, since most of the bacteria colonize the mechanical filter as opposed to the gravel bed anyway. Trust me, your fish will live. They are tougher than you think. Mine have pulled through scarier situations than that.

 

[rvm]

no, you should be fine. most of the beneficial bacteria are in your filter media (unless you have a UGF) so you shouldn't have any problems. I did my 55g about 4 months ago and had no problems at all.

 

[David]

since the gravel holds beneficial bacteria, change it out slowly. some people divide off a section of the tank and change it that way a section at time. i did it by scooping out a section and replacing it just before i did a water change, since it stirs up muck. don't do it all at once, you'll loose the bacteria and your tank could re-cycle. big mess.
as for teh rest, if you do all the plants and decor changes all at once, it could be stressful, so keep that in mind.
best of luck , show us some pics of the new setup when you have it complete

If you're really that worried about losing your beneficial bacteria (or if you have an UGF; I'm assuming you have a wet-dry/trickle filter) then do what MAM says. Otherwise you'll be fine.

 

[Jess]

since the gravel holds beneficial bacteria, change it out slowly. some people divide off a section of the tank and change it that way a section at time. i did it by scooping out a section and replacing it just before i did a water change, since it stirs up muck. don't do it all at once, you'll loose the bacteria and your tank could re-cycle. big mess.
as for teh rest, if you do all the plants and decor changes all at once, it could be stressful, so keep that in mind.
best of luck , show us some pics of the new setup when you have it complete

If you're really that worried about losing your beneficial bacteria (or if you have an UGF; I'm assuming you have a wet-dry/trickle filter) then do what MAM says. Otherwise you'll be fine.

Uh.... Huh?! Small, simple words please!!lmao

I dont have an UGF... ive got an all in one heater, filter & aerator that i was given by the lfs along with a tank and told to cycle it for about a month!!lol As i said, im not so good with the technical stuff!!!

I kind of panic whenever i do anything to my tank cos i added TWO fish a while back and they wiped out my entire tank... That was not good... The current fish have been living in there happily enough for about 6 months or so though so i think ill risk changing the gravel when i do a big water change next!! My fish are tough little guys!! lol

Thanks for the help!

Jess


P.S. i shall definately post pics!

 

[David]

Cool well in that case you'll be perfectly fine.

 

[Jess]

Well, im sure you'll all hear about it if im not! lol

Thanks!!