How long to leave old gravel in tank?

[phillips321]

Hey guys,

On saturday night i changed the gravel of my tank and put the old gravel (about half of what was in the tank) into a pair of tights.

It has been in there for just over 3 days now, will the bacteria have transfered properly to the new gravel or does it need to stay in there longer?

It makes the tank look soo ugly, i cant wait to take it out.

Cheers guys

 

[Barday]

Most peeps would say that 3 days is fine, I left mine in for just over a week. Patience is a virtue!

 

[yvez9]

Since you put in half the gravel I guess it will be fine by now.
Did you keep the same filter? If so, for sure you can remove the old gravel

 

[CFC]

Leave the old gravel in the tights in the tank for at least a week for the bacteria to spread into the new substrate in sufficient numbers.

 

[freddyk]

Did you keep the same filter? If so, for sure you can remove the old gravel

I agree, so long as the filter has not been cleaned out since.