Gravel Change

[Liz05]

I made a post about this earlier, but since then I had problems with my computer, and wasn't on to read the replies.. now I cant find it. )

Anyway, my question was... I have white gravel, that I have had for awhile. It is beginning to look rather gross. I would like to change gravel entirely, and go for something darker. Would this be possible without being dangerous? If so, what would be the easiest way to do this?

Sorry for repeating myself. Thanks!

 

[Eelzor]

I highly recommend you to remove the fish into a temporary tank (pre-setup) that they can survive in for about 1 day. Changing the gravel can be a dirty process that really should be done once and only once at the start of building your tank. From there I would let the new gravel settle and cycle in the tank (heater, pump etc already in) for about a day.

HTH

 

[Braddah]

Step by step.....here ya go:

1-pick out your new gravel....
2-get something to seperste the gravel with....(a tank divider...plexiglass)
3-put the divider about 1/4 away from the glass on one end
4-take out that gravel and add the new stuff
5-wait a week then do another 1/4 of the tank....

It is time consuming but you wont crash your tank and have it go through a mini-cycle....good luck....

ps. maybe a mod could post this info somewhere where it is easily accessable....

 

[Kossy]

Absolutely because as you probably know most of the bacteria that change ammonia into nitrites and nitrites into nitrates live in the gravel and filter mostly. Therefore if you cahnge all the gravel at once it wont be preety . Hence you should get a divider and change it over time.

 

[Pufferpack]

If you want to avoid changing it entirely you could choose some darker gravel and add it to the existing gravel to get a more neutral blend.

 

[Kossy]

I tried that once I didn't like it...so I changed it with the natrual type you can buy

 

[gadazobe]

Braddah is spot on - that's the best way to change any substrate. Takes time but it works.

 

[juanveldez]

tell you guys what I am glad that I read this post first I started the transformation of my 55 gallon tank from gravel to sand and I am soooooo pumped I know that it is going to take a while and I can tell you what it is taking everything that I have not to do more than the first 1/4 I did today

 

[Kossy]

Thats great news...as they say patience is the key...or something

 

[Liz05]

Thanks, that was a really good idea. How long do I need to wait each time before moving my barrier and adding more gravel? It's just a ten gallon, so it's going to be kind of a pain. I might just leave it alone for awhile, until I get TOO sick of it. But I will definitely do it that way if I change it.

 

[Debo]

Regarding changing gravel and sand. Where do you buy sand for an aquarium that is safe? What is it called?

 

[fish&chips]

try local fish store blig pet stores most them stock it

 

[juanveldez]

your best bet to save money is to go to a hardware store and just buy play ground sand the only thing that you have to do is put a little in a pillow case and really really wash the living poop out of it and as you know wet sand gets really heavy and also if you have a power filter make sure to turn it off I forgot that step and now mine is making a bit of noise but at least I shut it off be before it got really bad.

 

[Inchworm]

Just a word of caution here.

It is a good idea to avoid the product called "builder's sand or gravel." I have often heard that it has sharp edges that could cause harm to cory cats and/or other bottom dwellers.

Even if you don't have bottom dwellers, if you take the time to inspect the gravel carefully to make sure all the surfaces are smooth you will have that option later should you wish to use it.

I would suggest you wash gravel by pouring some into a shallow dishpan or similar utensil and running your hands through it, under running water. Mix and stir it until the water runs clear. If you wash just a small amount at a time and clean it thoroughly it will save you trouble in the long run.

 

[Moe]

I changed all the gravel in my tank (20G) at one time. I put the fish in a bucket with 10G of tank water, took out all the old gravel, put one third of it in a stocking. Put in the new washed gravel, waited an hour for the dust to settle. There was not much because I spent a lot of time washing the gravel. Then put the fish back in with the old tank water. I left the gravel in the stocking in the tank for one week. There was no change in water params. Ammonia and nitrate were still 0 after the change. I also made sure I did not change the filter the week before or after the switch. No fish were harmed in the changing of the gravel.