Gravel Change Problem?

[blackers92]

Hi Guys

Today I finally got around to changing my generic grit to black fluorite. It was somewhat problematic though as my holding drum sprung a leak all over my floor. (60 Liters ) and I needed to buy another bag of fluorite at a premium price. I am a bit worried because when I re-filled the tank about 40% of the water was the original water and the rest was de-chlorinated. I have three panty hoses full of old substrate to help the bacteria colonies but I am a little bit worried, I poured in alot of just old murky brown water that was with the gravel hoping that it would also aid the filter, bit ironic because I spent a fair amount of time rinsing the gravel so it wouldn't cloud. i put the old water logged piece of bogwood back in aswell.

Should I be worried about my bacteria dying?

 

[Ethan040]

I don't think it matters how much water you change the bacterias in your filter, i have done a total 100% waterchange before when i spilt a load of milk in my tank and it was fine i sometimes do 50%+ water changes when i do a proper clean out of my tank or when i move rocks and bogwood about which kicks up loads of rubbish that i miss with the tank hoover.

 

[giggsey]

I've seen that a fair chunk of the bacteria lives in the substrate.

However, I have taken all of my gravel out of a tank before, and boiled it (was killing snails), keeping only about 20% of the old water, and of course the filter media. And it only bloomed for about a day after.