Changing My Substrate?

[kniesh]

Hi guys, I have made a big mistake with my tank. It is a 4'x1'x1' (37g). It has now been set up about 12 weeks now and I'm finding a lot of new creatures roaming about. My stocking list is as follows;

1x Clarki Clown
1x Percula Clown
2x Blue Chromis
1x Royal Gramma
1x Porcelin crab
1x unidentified hitchhiker crab
2x Dancing Shrimp

Various snails and hermits also.

My mistake is being talked into an undergravel filter and crushed shell as my substrate. The guy at the LFS who I do trust and was just trying to help, as at the time my budget was not too big. I really hate the look of this now though, and I want to take out the crushed shell as it is taking about 3" off the height of my tank, which is only 12" anyway and this doesnt leave much room after the live rock is in.

I was wondering whether this is going to be dangerous to the fish now to change it? I am planning on taking out the crushed shell and putting the sand that is above it back in without the shell.

I have enough live rock in there now to filter it an I have put quite a bit of base rock in aswell which will hopefully seed after time? Should I leave the undergravel filter in if I do this or remove it totally?

I don't think I have missed anything out but I probably have. Can anyone help with this problem which I know I created myself but really would like to correct it and at least I have learned now for when I upgrade in the future. Thx in advance, Vinny

 

[kniesh]

Sorry just to clarify when i say I have enough Live Rock to filter it I have roughly 55lbs withabout the same in base rock. Does this sound right?

 

[Mr Miagi]

Removing your substrate is going to kick up alot of detritus, and even moving the LR will also do this. You will need to remove LR from the tank to remove the UGF (under gravel filter), so you might aswell move the fish into a type of QT tank or buckets until you get everything back in. Make sure you have everything organised before you go ahead with the project. IE, make sure the sand your replacing the shell with is ultra clean, make sure you have everything ready for the fish to stay in their respective temporary acomodation for extended periods if anything goes wrong, pre make alot of salt water, thats fresh for imidiate use. Plan well and you shall succeed! IMO, do the big project and remove the shell and UGF, otherwise you wont like your tank.

 

[crazyelece]

I agree with Mr. Miagi. If you don't like the look of the tank, you will never ultimately enjoy it and that is the key to a successful tank. I say remove it all but do be prepared before you start ripping everything out.