To Late To Change Substrate?

[Enna]

Hello, my tank has been up and running for a good couple of months now (AquaOne 850). I've come to realise I should have used a smaller substrate, my gravel was the only one in the shop and I assumed it would be fine. Its quite course and I'm sure my fish would prefer a finer one, especially the cory's. But is it to late now to change? I don't have a second tank to move the fish to while I change things around. Anyone any suggestions, oh and if it is possible any suggestions on online products to go for.

Thanks!

 

[Ben M]

hi, no it's not too late. i would change to sand if i were you, as it i much preferred by the corys. you can use play sand from argos/toys r us, but i used kiln dried sand from B&Q. it's really cheap, only about £3-4 per bag. i would get 2 bags, as you will probably need more than one to fill it, and over time you will eventually suck some out, so you could top it up every year or so. turn the filter off before you add the sand, and turn it back on once the sand has settled. i couldn't move the fish, as i didn't have anywhere to put them, and they were all fine still in the tank.

cheers

 

[Enna]

Thanks for your quick reply! Well there's my day off on Friday planned then

I've read on the forum that some of the planted tanks have 100% clay cat litter put underneath the substrate, is this something worth doing when I change it? I don't know if the tank needs to be fishless for any time if this is put in.

 

[Ben M]

hi, personally i've not had any experience with using cat litter, although many people use it for their planted tanks. but you must empty the tank before you add the cat litter, or you'll end up with a very big mess. personally i don't see the point of cat litter, i just dose TPN+ daily, and my plants are doing really well.

cheers

 

[Enna]

Cory's much happier now, was a bit of a messy job but well worth it.

 

[DD2510]

how many bags of sand did you use? im looking to do my Rio180 on Tuesday

 

[Enna]

I used about a bag....it might have been just over. I washed the sand the day before, put it into smaller bags then put them under the radiator to warm up. I used about half of them and I'd bought and washed two bags.