View Full Version : Substrate Change
I currently have a 29 gallon moderatley planted and want to change the substrate. Could I change the substrate to potting soil, I am tired of the tan/yellow gravel I currently have. If I can change to potting soil (It would be to Miracle Grow Organic Choice) how would I do this and would the soil start to float. If I can't change to potting soil is there anything out there thats dark/black and isn't too expensive. One other question is how do you get a limewood airstone to sink lol?
Any Advice is Helpful
petluvr
10-05-2008, 1:51 PM
I don't think you should be putting miracle grow of any sort in your tank. Check out pool filter/play sand.
Never mind the Miracle Grow, I just read the back and see what you mean. I want something dark like regular soil or dark sand thats cheap.
If you do go with soil, find the cheapest stuff available, it needs to be additive free. And the soil will have to be topped with gravel or it will make a giant mess.
Basically if you want soil, you're pretty much starting over, the tank will have to be drained and emptied, and the soil will go through a cycle of its own for about a month to 6 weeks.
Never mind soil then. I might just use regular black gravel of black sand. Is black sand expensive. Can I keep the water in if I change to sand or another gravel?
If you want a black growing substrate, look into Flourite black/oynx, or Eco-complete.
67chevelle
10-05-2008, 2:19 PM
I used Miracle Grow Potting in one of my planted tanks and then covered it with black gravel.It will stain your water for a while,like drift wood,but did not harm the fish in any way,and the plants are thriving in it.I changed 50% of the water 2 or 3 times a weekfor 3 or 4 weeks before it stoped stoped staining the water.Here are some pics.
Will I be able to put my fish back in right after I change to gravel or sand or will it have to cycle? I don't have another tank for them to go into if it needs to cycle...
67chevelle
10-05-2008, 2:59 PM
What kind of filter do you have?
I mostly use biowheels in most of my tanks.I just keep the wheels in another tank while I am changing the substrate.Since you do not have another tank,I would just put what ever bio material you have in a bucket with tank water.Then once the tank is set back up your good to go.Just make sure to so this all in one day.If it seems like it is going to take hours and hours to complete the change,put some fish food in the bucket with the bio material and the bacteria will feed off the ammonia released by the decaying food.
Thats good because I have a biowheel running, Penguin 150. Anyone no how to get a limewood airstone to sink.
67chevelle
10-05-2008, 3:10 PM
Put it on the end of some ridgid tubing.You will need to use a small piece of flexible tubing to attach it to the ridgid tube.
Thanks everyone for the help. I think I will change the substrate tomorrow and get some more plants. After this I might start a 5 gallon dwarf puffer amazon biotope tank.