xJake
Fish Crazy
I'm switching to a play sand substrate in my main 125-gallon tank. I currently have an undergravel filter as my biological filter.
Here is my plan for the switch so far:
1. Add 2 Sponge filters (along with my power filter's sponge media designed for biological filtration) for the bacteria to recolonize on.
2. Slowly remove the gravel (10-15% each week, 1-2% each day), and test the water parameters every other day and adjust the removal rate accordingly
3. After the third or fourth week I will remove the first undergravel filter
4. Add a plastic divider in the substrate and fill half of the tank with sand.
5. Continue removing gravel until there is none left.
6. Remove the second undergravel filter and any remaining gravel, fill the rest of the tank with sand, and remove the plastic divider.
7. Replant any plants, move around decor and finalize the appearance of the tank.
Any hints, tips, or suggestions? This seems as though the switch should be successful and a rather simple process to do. Also, how would I go about hoovering the sand without sucking too much out?
Also, I have substrate diggers (clown loaches, cories, plecos, etc.) so do I need to worry much about gas pockets or should I attempt to get a population of MTS's in my tank going?
Here is my plan for the switch so far:
1. Add 2 Sponge filters (along with my power filter's sponge media designed for biological filtration) for the bacteria to recolonize on.
2. Slowly remove the gravel (10-15% each week, 1-2% each day), and test the water parameters every other day and adjust the removal rate accordingly
3. After the third or fourth week I will remove the first undergravel filter
4. Add a plastic divider in the substrate and fill half of the tank with sand.
5. Continue removing gravel until there is none left.
6. Remove the second undergravel filter and any remaining gravel, fill the rest of the tank with sand, and remove the plastic divider.
7. Replant any plants, move around decor and finalize the appearance of the tank.
Any hints, tips, or suggestions? This seems as though the switch should be successful and a rather simple process to do. Also, how would I go about hoovering the sand without sucking too much out?
Also, I have substrate diggers (clown loaches, cories, plecos, etc.) so do I need to worry much about gas pockets or should I attempt to get a population of MTS's in my tank going?
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=158690
