Gutting Out And Cleaning Tank

[bullgoose]

Hello.
 
 My tank is in serious need of a major clean up. I only became cycled a week or so ago.  The gravel i use looks awful so i want to switch substrate when i clean out the tank.
 
If i keep the fish with some of the water from my dirty tank can i then empty it completely, clean it out , switch substrate, put the fish back in and consider it still cycled ?
 
  Hope you can help.

 

[nicky1200]

The filter media is what has been cycled. Has long has you keep the cyled media you will be fine. Do not wash the filter media or filter. And then you can do what you like.

 

[bullgoose]

thanks for the swift reply.
 
The white gravel looks so bad once it goes green. What do you suggest as the best substrate. I want one that corys will like.
 
cheers again

 

[nicky1200]

thanks for the swift reply.
 
The white gravel looks so bad once it goes green. What do you suggest as the best substrate. I want one that corys will like.
 
cheers again

Sand everytime. I have corrys and had them in a gravel tank i didn't see much moment form them. I upgraded to a 6ft tank and added sand and now they are out all the time digging into it looking for food.

 

[bullgoose]

Ok but my choices are sooooo limited here.  http/www.petworld.dk/product/akvariebundlag/neptun-sand.aspx#top
 
Would this stuff above be ok or to large.
 
Can i use literally any sand or must it be special expensive stuff from a LFS
 
Thanks in advance
 
wilf wilf

 

[Francesjane]

Personally I would use a fish shop sand because then you know it's been prepared for what it was intended for and it's much finer...just make sure you rinse it really well......I just don't know if normal sand will be ok?! Maybe someone else would be able to tell you otherwise?
I use pet shop sand and made the mistake of buying a yellow coloured sand (colour as dry sand on the beach)...it was awful when it got wet and went a horrid brown colour...I should have known that really!!! I then bought a very light sand...almost grey looking and its perfect and looks really good and natural.....
If no one comes back to you with a definite answer on normal sand then google it...you might be able to find something. By looking at the link you added, it looks nearly like beach sand doesn't it...??
Sorry I can't help more...still learning myself...good luck