New tank

[jerseyvtr]

I am getting a new tank 10gallon soon and hate cleaning the gravel in my old one i was thinking having a bare bottom tank with a few ornaments will this be ok for the fish

 

[BobK]

This will actually be better for the fish because the gravel will bring along bacteria to colonize the new biofilter. It will speed up, but not eliminate, the cycling process. Can you steal some filter media from the old tank as well? You should still vacuum the gravel when you perform your partial water changes to prevent a buildup of waste. I'm not sure if you meant you hated washing the gravel before you move it to the new tank or if you hated cleaning the gravel in general, such as vacuuming it.

 

[kev_kb]

I think they meant would a take with no substrate be ok???

Anyway, if you don't like gravel vaccing look at having a sand substrate, its much easier to clean.

 

[jerseyvtr]

I think they meant would a take with no substrate be ok???

Anyway, if you don't like gravel vaccing look at having a sand substrate, its much easier to clean.

yeah i meant no substrate.

or possible have a 1/4 of the tank covvered in gravel and the rest bare bottom, not keen on sand to be honest

 

[sylvia]

You don't need a substrate at all if you realy don't want one. All you need to do is make sure you don't kill off all the bacteria growing in your filter. Simply don't replace or wash the filter media ond only occasionaly lightly rinse SOME of it out, after a water change, with the TANK WATER you removed. NEVER use water direct from your tap or you'll kill off the beneficial bacteria because of the chlorine. Also, don't follow manufacturer's instructions when changing filter media and the like - you need not change it unless it is filthy and then only part at a time so you don't cause a re-cycle. The manufacturers are simply trying to fool you into buying more of their products and are not overly concerned about your bacteria . The only media you would need to replace is carbon which is usualy pointless unless you are specificaly trying to remove chemicals as it stops working after just a few days.

 

[BobK]

Whoops, I better learn to read better!!!! I have a fry tank that I run with no substrate because it is much easier to clean and keep clean. I was doing daily pwc's in the fry tank and it was just a quick vacuum of the bottom do get the waste and any uneaten food. Works like a charm and my fry didn't seem to mind at all.

 

[jerseyvtr]

Whoops, I better learn to read better!!!! I have a fry tank that I run with no substrate because it is much easier to clean and keep clean. I was doing daily pwc's in the fry tank and it was just a quick vacuum of the bottom do get the waste and any uneaten food. Works like a charm and my fry didn't seem to mind at all.

my post wasn't too clear mate