Setting up a planted tank

[Chen jing kai]

Hi, I have a tank already set up but it is not planted in anyway (as in the plants are not in the substrate). It has been running for about a year and I am planning to change the substrate to the Fluval plant and shrimp stratum. However, I do not have a separate tank to store the fish and can only probably keep them in plastic boxes while I switch the substrate. Planning to let the filter run for a period of time before I switch the substrate. The filter I would be using would be the Fluval c2. Is it okay to immediately add in the fish after the switch?

 

[Sunnyspots]

Is the only difference going to be new substrate? Is that filter the same as before or a new one?

 

[Chen jing kai]

Is the only difference going to be new substrate? Is that filter the same as before or a new one?

No I am changing the filter too

 

[Chen jing kai]

No I am changing the filter too

But I am going to keep maybe 50% of the water

 

[Byron]

Personally, I would reconsider using this Fluval substrate, or anything similar. I've no idea what plants you want to grow, but all of them will grow fine in inert sand, with fertilizers as needed depending upon the plants and fish load.

One major issue with these plant substrates is the harm they can cause fish. On Fluval's site it even says not to use this substrate with substrate-feeding fish such as cichlids, catfish, or any fish that burrow into the substrate. So you may find it not worth it, depending upon your fish species.

 

[Chen jing kai]

Personally, I would reconsider using this Fluval substrate, or anything similar. I've no idea what plants you want to grow, but all of them will grow fine in inert sand, with fertilizers as needed depending upon the plants and fish load.

One major issue with these plant substrates is the harm they can cause fish. On Fluval's site it even says not to use this substrate with substrate-feeding fish such as cichlids, catfish, or any fish that burrow into the substrate. So you may find it not worth it, depending upon your fish species.

So if I have benthic fishes it would not be good for them?

 

[Byron]

So if I have benthic fishes it would not be good for them?

Correct. There is the sharpness of the grains, the size of the grains, and the bacterial issues inherent with such substrates. All of which is detrimental to benthic fishes.