Changing Substrate

[sweet93gt]

Curious to see some opinions. I would like to change the substrate in my 65 hex. I'm leaning towards Flourite from Seachem. What is the best way to change the substrate without stressing the fish to much?

[V1xIII]

Not a good idea to do it with the fish in the tank whatsoever. Gonna need to transplant them to either a different aquarium or some sort of tub/bucket for a few hours.

Other than that, just lower the water level down at least halfway to make things easy, scoop out the old, and put in the new (cleaned of course). Fill it up, things will be cloudy for a bit so do a 50% water change and once the water is back up to temperature you should be good to put the fish back in.

[Fishy_Fun]

Take the fish out and add them when your done

[Coler]

1. Drain tank 2 thirds.
2. Catch fish. Put 'em in a spare tank, or just a large rubbermaid container. Run your filter/filters on this. Might as well make sure and drain the tank into it as much as necessary.
3. Drain rest of tank.
4. Scoop out old substrate.
5. Put in your new substrate.
6. Fill 'er up.
7. Insert fish.

You could try and say get the water from the rubbermaid back in the tank but that might be more trouble than it is worth. Think of this as a very large water change. As long as you have been diligent in your water changes, i.e. nitrates below 20 when you start, and are not coping with massive Ph swing from tap to tank, this will be fine.

If you are coping with large Ph swing, plan 1 day ahead and have two large containers. The day before, fill up 1 of the containers with tap and condition as usual. Leave in the container overnight. Perform steps 1 - 5 but this time fill up as much as possible with your aged water -doesn't have to be 100%, as long is its over 50% should be fine. Fill remainder with tap water. I.e. its just a 50% water change.

[sweet93gt]

I thank all of you for your suggestions. I would not dare to do anything this big without consulting this forum. Great ideas and will use them hopefully this week. I'll post hopefully with some pics when i'm done.

[ChiaJesus]

Just to add my two cents. Changing substrate was the single worst experience I had had in this hobby. Not that I add any losses or anything but it's a massive pain in the butt. In one tank I went from ugly blue/green gravel to sand about six months ago and I'm STILL picking out blue gravel when I do water changes.

I promise you that going through this will be a lesson in planning for future setups. :)

[Mgamer20o0]

if you empty it all out fish and all its not hard..... i just redid my 120. got every little part out of the old gravel.