Some Advice Please :)

[Liz1993]

I want to change from gravel to sand in my aquarium, how do i do this with Bob the betta in!?

 

[KittyKat]

The easiest thing to do is remove the Betta, filter and heater to a bucket, then change the substrate, and finish off by moving the fish and equipment back to the tank.

If you really cannot remove the fish for a little while, then remove the gravel with a fish net (be careful not to damage the net) and add the sand *very gently*.

 

[Liz1993]

Thanks a lot ill give that a go , Im just a bit worried it makes my water really cloudy x

 

[Aqua Tom]

Thanks a lot ill give that a go , Im just a bit worried it makes my water really cloudy x

Wash it realy well, then wash it again, then when you think its clean, wash it once more. You will still have cloudy water but it will just be dust particles, not suspended sand, so it will clear within a few hours.


Tom

 

[KittyKat]

What Tom said, and I would probably add an extra fine sponge into the filter, before the media, for the first day.

 

[TheJ0kerrr]

Is it a good idea to do it all at once? Wouldn't it cause a new cycle to remove all the substrate which hosts the majory of bacterias? Granted, you only have a betta in there, so I guess there isn't that big of a colony needed to cycle properly.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hiya Liz, i may be wrong but i personally, for safetys sake, would wait until i knew my tank was stable before doing a big substrate change, but maybe thtat's just me! I hope that doesnt seem like im being critical

 

[Aqua Tom]

Is it a good idea to do it all at once? Wouldn't it cause a new cycle to remove all the substrate which hosts the majory of bacterias? Granted, you only have a betta in there, so I guess there isn't that big of a colony needed to cycle properly.

err, no-one mentioned an under gravel filter.


Tom

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I think joker just may be a little misguided is all, as most of the bacteria lives in the filter media. The bacteria in the gravel is a small amount and a substrate change shouldnt upset the balance of an established tank very much at all. Which is why i recommended liz wait until she knows her tank is 100% stable before making the change seeing as there are indications it may be going through a mini cycle.

 

[Liz1993]

Yeah I totally agree with you , I will wait. you know what its like when its all new you just want to mess about with everything and make it look good but i definately agree i should wait thanks a lot for all your time and i will bare all your information in mind for when i eventually do the swap I wouldent want to hurt my poor boy after todays performance!! hehe thanks a lot guys!!!

 

[TheJ0kerrr]

I think joker just may be a little misguided is all, as most of the bacteria lives in the filter media. The bacteria in the gravel is a small amount and a substrate change shouldnt upset the balance of an established tank very much at all.

Oh...I actually thought it was the other way around (most in the gravel, some in the filter media). Thanks for the clarification... i'm also new to all of this, which is why I usually turn my posts into questions instead of statements...haha.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I totally know what you mean Liz I haven't had my tank up for very long and am going to switch to sand this week myself hehe. I had a 6 week cycle period and my tank has been rock solid on the water test results for the three weeks i've had fish in so i feel pretty confident about disturbing things a little
No worries joker i'm still a total noob myself when it comes to most things, i feel like i've got my head round a couple of concepts well enough now where i've started to give a little advice but i'm mot very confident about it lol, i just like to try and help where i can. Besides i love watching other people go through the process and get their tanks up and running, it's so fun!