Replacing substrate.

[chaotica2010]

Thinking black sand or small black gravel. I am tired of the generic river rock I got and I want a look that I can take a pic of and have it stand up to all the great tanks on the TOTM contest.

On with the questions

Question the first- Can you safely do a complete substrate change. I am gonna take out the UGF also.

2nd- How much gravel (fine) or sand do you need for a 55 gallon which you are planning to plant.

3rd- I want black and my LFS has got it for like $75 for around 60 lbs which they said was enough (but I trust you all more than Petsmart) is there some where else I should check for the sand before paying that much?

4th- If you are in a house where all walls face south and a bear walks by what color is the bear?

Txs in advance

Rick 8)

 

[st.cichlid]

black

 

[Exiled]

White! If all the walls are facing south then the house is smack dab on the north pole--so it's a polar bear! Great riddle!!

sorry -- but i can't answer your other questions

 

[chaotica2010]

black

Whats wrong with black? It will look really nice with my Mayan Ruin theme. Geez everyones a critic

 

[cutechic]

I have black gravel in one of my tanks. It contrasts nicely with the green plants

 

[Heyjeyniceid]

I wouldnt recomend doing a complete gravel change.

1. what I would do if I wanted a new look is scoope out the gravel from the front, fill it in with new gravel, scope out the gravel from the sides, do the same and so on.

So basically you cover the old gravel with the new gravel, while still haveing the benefit of any bacteria that live in the old gravel.

2. I would do 1lb-1,5 lbs of gravel for every gallon If I were to plant it. Also before anything, I would first layer the bottom with laterite or do a flourite gravel bed. Rooting plants do like a deep substarte in my experience.

3. Possibly. Dont know any.

4. **Head Explodes**

 

[Interfire]

I used black sand in my 55 gallon tank and I went through 40 lbs of it. Actually 40 gave me plenty as I still have about 5+/- pounds of it stored away.

That gave me about an 1.5 inches of sand. I personally think 60 would be way too much.

 

[Opcn]

4. you could build a house in boisr idaho and only put windows in the south facing wall also there are no polar bears exactly on the north pole they like to be on the south edge of the ice where the seals are.

3. that sounds about right for the price

2. I agree with above

1. If you have a thin plastic strip you can create a barior between the old and new substrates.

Opcn