How To Switch Substrate

[XeroTolerance]

Hello everyone!

Today I realized that my corse gravel probably isn't the very best substrate to grow live plants in, so I finally figured that I would at least think about changing the substrate. Well, I see no easy way to do this because I do not have a holding tank for my 5 neons, 2 otos, and 1 flame tetra in my 10 gallon tank. In addition, there is already DHG planted, so I think I may have to uproot it and replant it.

If anyone has any idea on how to do this effectively, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Moby-Krib]

In the time it will take you to switch the fish can stay in the bucket motel. they would be fine for a few hours as long as water it agitated once in awhile for oxygen and you don't set it in the sun or in front of an air conditioner. With them out you'll make quick work of the switch

 

[XeroTolerance]

Ok, so I should purchase a bucket? Also, would switching the substrate disturb the bacterial colony? What about the DHG already planted?

 

[Moby-Krib]

Ok, so I should purchase a bucket? Also, would switching the substrate disturb the bacterial colony? What about the DHG already planted?

Well if you don't have a bucket you could use any appropriately sized, watertight container so long as its clean. A storage container, large bowls, anything big enough to hold em for a bit.
Drain 1/2 the tank water into it as a temporary shelter for the fish while you rework tank.
add that water back when you refill.
I would expect way less than an hrs work being that it is a 10 gallon.

Not much bacteria lives in the substrate almost all lives in the filter, so in all but the rarest of situations you will not disturb the colony at all.

Just carefully uproot the already existing plant, replant in new substrate. It may possibly wilt a bit at first but I doubt it.

 

[aquariumart22]

I always put a little bowl or container filled with the old substrate in the back corner of the tank for a few weeks if your worried about bacteria or ammonia spikes(don't know if it really helps but I rest a little easier!).. I was also thinking you could maybe put sand over the gravel if your worried about all the roots. I honestly think you'd be fine doing what Moby-Krib said, I just wanted to give you some other thoughts.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Okay, thanks both of you for your help! I will defiantly do that but it seems that there are a ton of runners after I added the DIY Co2, liquid ferts, new lights, and root tabs.

 

[Moby-Krib]

you may want to then ask about transplanting and how to best do it over in the planted section just to get a complete answer on that.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yeah that would be a good idea. Thanks a ton for your help.