Changing Substrate

[guppymonkey]

I want to change the substrate in my tank to a more natural color. Right now its red, white and blue and I want something a little less patriotic and more natural. How badly would changing the substrate effect my tank? Would it just undergo a minicycle like when I add new fish or would it have to go through the entire cycle again?

 

[Chunandler]

my guess is yeah it probably would but if it depends whether you have a bio wheel

 

[juanveldez]

short answer is YES it will effect the tank and make it go through a mini cycle. the best way to do it is to remove about a 1/4 of the current substrate, and replace it with the substrate that you want about every other week. this is going to take some time but it is better to take your time than to harm your fish is the way I look at it.