Gravel Change Questions.

[Thirdfloor]

On Thursday my friend and I are going to change the substrate in his tank. He currenly has some wretched looking red, white and blue gravel that he inhereted with the tank. We are switching to a natural looking gravel of the same size. Is there anything we should be aware of or any helpful pointers for a substrate change? Most of the beneficial bacteria are in the filter so it shouldnt have much effect on the tank, right? We are going to wash the new gravel with water from the tank before making the switch.

 

[Matty P]

Yeh that sounds fine, good choice changing to the natural gravel looks much nicer. There will be very little bacteria in the substrate so you should be ok/

 

[doresy]

Hi, there is no need to wash the new substrate in old tank water. Best to wash it under running water, it does a better job.

What is going to be your method of change over?

I take it there are fish in the tank?

If so, I would remove half the water and place it in a clean/new bucket.

Net the fish and place them in plastic bags (got from your LFS) and place the bags in the bucket.

Then top up the bucket with as much of the water from the tank as you can and disgard the rest. Install your pre set heater.

Remove substrate and clean tank.

Add new (washed) substrate and decorations.

Add new dechlorinated water up to the level of the disgarded water and half of the saved water (switching off the heater first)

Install heater into the tank then float the bags back into the tank. Transfer the remaining water and switch on heater.

When water in the tank reaches normal temperature introduce fish in the usual manner

 

[Thirdfloor]

Hi, there is no need to wash the new substrate in old tank water. Best to wash it under running water, it does a better job.

What is going to be your method of change over

I take it there are fish in the tank?

Thats what I'm really looking for tips on, we are planning to take the fish out for the process, as I'm sure it would stress them heavily. Will they all be ok in buckets (only a couple fish per bucket) for the 30 mins or so it will take to drain, switch the gravel, aquascape and refill the tank. Should we keep all the existing water? or is it a good time to do a 50 or 60% water change as well? Not sure if that would be too much shock.

 

[doresy]

Hi, there is no need to wash the new substrate in old tank water. Best to wash it under running water, it does a better job.

What is going to be your method of change over

I take it there are fish in the tank?

Thats what I'm really looking for tips on, we are planning to take the fish out for the process, as I'm sure it would stress them heavily. Will they all be ok in buckets (only a couple fish per bucket) for the 30 mins or so it will take to drain, switch the gravel, aquascape and refill the tank. Should we keep all the existing water? or is it a good time to do a 50 or 60% water change as well? Not sure if that would be too much shock.

I have added to my original answer above.....ok?

 

[Thirdfloor]

Hi, there is no need to wash the new substrate in old tank water. Best to wash it under running water, it does a better job.

What is going to be your method of change over?

I take it there are fish in the tank?

If so, I would remove half the water and place it in a clean/new bucket.

Net the fish and place them in plastic bags (got from your LFS) and place the bags in the bucket.

Then top up the bucket with as much of the water from the tank as you can and disgard the rest. Install your pre set heater.

Remove substrate and clean tank.

Add new (washed) substrate and decorations.

Add new dechlorinated water up to the level of the disgarded water and half of the saved water (switching off the heater first)

Install heater into the tank then float the bags back into the tank. Transfer the remaining water and switch on heater.

When water in the tank reaches normal temperature introduce fish in the usual manner

Ahh, thanks. Good idea to keep them in bags in the buckets. less chasing with the net which is not fun for anyone.
We are in Orlando, Florida so the tanks stay around 76F-80F on their own, no need for heaters here.

Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

 

[doresy]

Ahh, thanks. Good idea to keep them in bags in the buckets. less chasing with the net which is not fun for anyone.
We are in Orlando, Florida so the tanks stay around 76F-80F on their own, no need for heaters here.

Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

Ahhhhh does it now well here in the UK it just rains It did get up to 80f here once, in 1976!

 

[Thirdfloor]

Well, Doresy your method worked nicely, new substrate is in place and my friends fish are back in and happy to have a natural looking floor. Thanks again for the advice!!

 

[doresy]

Well, Doresy your method worked nicely, new substrate is in place and my friends fish are back in and happy to have a natural looking floor. Thanks again for the advice!!

ahhhh, gives me a warm glow

 

[Thirdfloor]

Is it possible for Ich fungus to stay in substrate? My friend had an outbreak of Ich in his tank a couple weeks ago, but it was properly treated and went away. We did the gravel change yesterday and this morning he noticed a couple of his fish had Ich spots on them again. He is currently treating again, is it possible that changing the substrate stirred up some Ich fungus that was hiding out in the bottom of the tank??

 

[Thirdfloor]

Is it possible for Ich fungus to stay in substrate? My friend had an outbreak of Ich in his tank a couple weeks ago, but it was properly treated and went away. We did the gravel change yesterday and this morning he noticed a couple of his fish had Ich spots on them again. He is currently treating again, is it possible that changing the substrate stirred up some Ich fungus that was hiding out in the bottom of the tank??

/bump

Anyone seen this happen before?