View Full Version : Putting in some new substrate.
Quezoxx
03-10-2004, 3:27 AM
Well, I want to have some real lush growth like lots of you guys and gals I keep seeing in the forums. So, what I am doing is taking steps and one of them is adding new substrate. I just bought some seachem flourite. The only problem is I have a tank with some plants and fish already. Now I plan on taking most of the regular gravel out and mixing the flourite in it. Anyways, if anyone has some pointers on how I could make this as easy as possible for all the parties concerned (the fish/plants/and me!!).
djlen
03-10-2004, 11:54 AM
Check my reply to Captain Hook's post, 'This gonna be tough?', on this page. He's doing something similar. Some of my response may be helpful to you.
Len
Captain Hook
03-10-2004, 12:07 PM
Len made some good suggestions you should read in that thread. If you were just adding some substrate I would say you wouldn't need to take the fish out or anything. But because you want to change one type for another I would say you will probably have to remove the fish into a bucket or something.
scottracy
03-11-2004, 2:36 PM
Captain Hook,
Your saying it would be fine to add the Seachem flourite to an existing substrate already established in the tank without removing the fish? My substrate is slightly larger than the recommended 1-2mm size noted in the sticky and I would like to add the flourite.
Scott
Captain Hook
03-11-2004, 3:49 PM
I did this in one of my tanks. If you are just planning on adding a a little bit Flourite it would be fine. If you are trying to add a whole bag of Flourite my method would probably be pretty slow.
I add it in small amount by filling ziploc bags 1/4 to 1/2 full. I rinse the flourite in the bag, letting the water overflow. Once I think it is clean enough I take the ziploc bag into the tank and lower it to the bottom. Then just gently pour the flourite out, making as little disturbance as possible. Your fish will be fine if you do this and you shouldn't see much dust.
Good method, but Scott.....RINSE THE HECK OUT OF THAT FLOURITE....I mean be thorough!! The stuff can be messy to say the least.
Len
scottracy
03-12-2004, 10:28 AM
Do you need to work the flourite into the existing substrate or just place it on the surface?
Scott
Either way will work OK, but they will eventually end up mixed anyway.
Len
I recently went through a substrate change (today actually) I decided to go with the Eco-Complete. It is great stuff, no clouding and didn't require ANY rinsing.
Things are looking great.
Detox