Adding Substrate to Existing Tank

D

Detox

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Feb 5, 2004
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I already have an established tank, with plants. However, when I initially setup this tank it was with gravel only. I continued to add more plants and the plants are doing well.

However, I would now like to add substrate. How can I do this? I have a 10 gallon tank so there really isn't that much ground to cover. Currently all plants are planted into the gravel, except a couple tied to my driftwood.

Thanks

Detox
 
If it were me, I'd take out all of the water and fish, stick them into a 5g bucket, pull out the old gravel and replace it. I've done it this way a few times.

Other options are to just scoop out as much as you can/want, and then mix your new substrate right into whats left or leave it on top.

Whatever you replace it with, wash it VERY well so that you don't foul the tank up with the dust/particles if you plan on putting your fish right back in.
 
Are you just trying to add more substrate to what you have in there already? If so, I found a good way to add dusty things like Flourite:

Fill a ziploc bag about half full with flourite or other gravel material. Rinse the gravel in the bag, letting water overflow. This clears out alot of dust. When you think you have rinsed enough take the bag and lower it into your tank. When you get to the bottom flip the bag and dump. It really does a good job of minimizing dust and cloudiness.
 
My plan was to just add some substrate, such as flourite, to the tank (currently there is just gravel) I was trying to stay clear of pulling everything out seeing as took me so long to get everything where it is now.

Can you just rinse of the Flourite and put it in the tank and then won't it simply find it's way through all of the cracks in the gravel?
Forgive me if this sounds niave, I am a rapidly developing newbie.

(Just ordered KNO3 from my local Pharmacy LOL)
 
Flourite needs to be well washed if you are going to add it to a tank with water already in it.
I like Hook's idea, but make sure to wash it til the water runs clear. Even then you'll probably get some clouding.
After using his method if it's a bad clouding situation and you have to re-introduce your fish, let it settle and then do a light gravel vac water change to get the remaining silt out of the tank.
Doesn't have to be a deep vac....but try to cover the entire substrate while vacuuming.

Len
 
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