Changing The Substrate

muzzy · Jan 31, 2009

Evening all.

Just a quick question. Ive been thinking about changing the substrate from gravel to sand and was wondering how easy it would be to do that?

I have an idea on how to do it (please say if im wrong). To make sure the bateria doesnt die off i think i need to change it bit by bit and once a week.

Is this possible without messing the whole tank up?

Cheers

Muzzy

Ally555 · Jan 31, 2009

I'm not sure about this but it would be a good idea if it worked!!! :good:

Truck · Jan 31, 2009

90ish % of bacteria is in the filter not substrate, so it is safe to change it all at once

mezzic · Jan 31, 2009

i changed mine all at once, no problem, appart from the water being cloudy for about 8hrs, fish were fine, just had to clean the filter when it cleared

muzzy · Feb 1, 2009

oh right, that would make things a lot easier.... So i could get me sand clean it, then pull out all the old substrate being carefull not to pull out the fish and then put in the sand.

Is there a way to do it without stressing out the fish?

Thanks All

Muzzy

Truck · Feb 1, 2009

put the fish in a bucket

muzzy · Feb 1, 2009

cheers truckasauras123

Keithoms · Feb 1, 2009

Heres my thread http

/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=267849&hl=

muzzy · Feb 1, 2009

Thanks Keithoms.

I seen your post a little late and have already changed the substrate but thank you anyway!!

I have now got the sand in, unfurtunately i couldnt get all the fish out so had to remove the gravel with a couple of tetras and all the loaches. the little gits kept burying themselves and then darting off when i tried netting them.

Im gonna leave the decs and plants for tomorrow which will give me a chance to think of a new arrangement for them.

So im now expecting the worst but hoping for the best.

Ill let you all know how it goes and hopefully have some pics as well.

Thanks for all your help guys.

Muzzy

muzzy · Feb 2, 2009

haha!!

despite being traumatised all fish alive and kicking!! infact now that theres not a lot in the tank the loaches seem more active and swimming around with each other.

muzzy · Feb 2, 2009

ok, got the decs and plants in!! now going to leave the poor buggers for a while. They've had enough excitement to last them a lifetime.

Here are some pics. Defo looking than before the change.