Changing out gravel help....

[JessiMommy]

I need to replace my current substrate with something smaller & more suitable for my cory cats. Could anyone suggest what type of substrate would be good for them and how I go about changing it out so as not to disturb the balance of things too much. Thanks!

 

[Moe]

You can go with any small gravel. IMO the natural color gravel looks best. The best way to change the gravel is to do it in stages. Section the tank into quarters and change it over one section at a time over the course of a month. Now if you are like me and cannot wait that long and just have to do it right away you could scoop one third of the gravel dirt and all into a clean stocking. Then remove all the remaining gravel. Make sure you wash the new gravel really well and then dump it in. Leave the stocking with the old gravel in the corner of the tank for about 2 weeks and then remove it. Any time you change the substrate you will make a big mess. I chose to get it all over with at one time. I made sure I had not changed the filter pads the week before or after the gravel change. My water params remained perfect during the change and the 2 weeks that followed.

 

[JessiMommy]

You can go with any small gravel. IMO the natural color gravel looks best. The best way to change the gravel is to do it in stages.

Now if you are like me and cannot wait that long and just have to do it right away you could scoop one third of the gravel dirt and all into a clean stocking.

Thanks Moe! That ought to be easy enough!