Replacing Gravel

[dayzofspeed]

if i was very very very VERY careful could i put some new black gravel straight over the top of my existing gravel, i was thinking of maybe using a small seive or something to lower the new stuff in and carefully putting down a new layer of the black, if i attempt this is it ok to do it all at once or should i do it in stages so as not to cover up all the friendly bacteria on my existing gravel. i really like the look of black gravel , but having already carried out a full substrate change (by removing everything) once before i dont want to go down that route again if i can avoid it

 

[the biffster]

i would do it in strips
as i once topped of some
gravel and it caused
an ammonia spike

 

[Timmy_Bee]

i wouldn't worry too much about bacteria - your filter should house the vast majority of the bacteria

 

[the biffster]

covering all your gravel will
cause an ammonia spike i know
cause it happened to me

 

[dayzofspeed]

i am undecided exactly what i am going to do as i am also toying with the possibility of another and hopefully final re-vamp of the tank layout, but i think if i just change the gravel maybe it's safer to just do a small area at a time

 

[the biffster]

just do it in small strips
start at one end

 

[dayzofspeed]

ok that sounds sensible to me........ problem solved thanks

 

[the biffster]

no probs