Will I remove too much beneficial bacteria

[CMC]

I have an established 55-gallon with natural colored aquarium gravel. When our 240-gallon is cycled the fish currently in the 55 will be moved into the 240 and my african cichlids will live in the 55. I'm thinking about removing the aquarium gravel in the 55 and putting crushed coral in there instead. I have read that this is more in line with their natural habitat. But I'm wondering if removing the gravel will deplete most of the beneficial bacteria already in the tank and it will have go through the cycling or a mini-cycle process again?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I think the majority of the good bacteria is in the filter. So, as long as you are using a mature filter, you should be fine IME.

 

[sandyd]

I agree with Cheese, IMO. I would just make sure that have established filters in the tank, you do not want to change the filter medium and remove the gravel at the same time. I am not sure if it will not mini cycle, as it just may do that on you, but since you are removing some of the fish, you may be alright. Are the cichlids in the 55 now?

Sandy

 

[CMC]

The 55 has one of the cichlids in it now. There are also angelfish and the silver dollars in there but the cichlid is separated by a tank divider (he has about 15 gallons to himself temporarily). I will put both cichlids in the 55 when the angelfish and silver dollars move into the 240-gallon. The nitrites in the 240 are at .50 today so hopefully the move will be soon .