How can I change my graval? I want a different colour now. I would use the search thing because I know someone has done this before, but it doesnt work.
Graval Change
- Thread starter Kasakato
- Start date
Get something to keep your fish in. A bucket with an airstone or rubbermaid container with the filters on it, and put your fish in that. Then change out the gravel as needed.
If you are using a UGF this will make you lose all of your beneficial bacteria. If you aren't then you should be fine.
Just try to minimize the stress on the fish. Keep them in the dark as much as possible. And use a large net to speed the catch and release from and to the tank.
If you are using a UGF this will make you lose all of your beneficial bacteria. If you aren't then you should be fine.
Just try to minimize the stress on the fish. Keep them in the dark as much as possible. And use a large net to speed the catch and release from and to the tank.
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
I would think even the gravel that's used without the UGF would still hold some beneficial bacteria..... shouldn't this be done in sections over a period of time? (just a thought..... )
I have actually changed over a tank, using nothing from the old tank but a few small decorations and the filters, and experienced no recycling whatsoever.
So IME I would say doing only a gravel change would be safe.
So IME I would say doing only a gravel change would be safe.
I have LOTS of extra filter media in my filter. Will this help? Can I keep the fish in my tank? Or will they have to be removed?
Take the fish out and put in a 5g bucket with an airstone, as mentioned. Fill the bucket with tank water.
Gravel vac your gravel a bit, getting a lot of the mulm into a bucket with the water. Drain the top of the water off and save the slimy bottom layer.
Empty (most of the) water. Remove all of your old gravel.
Dump that nasty gunk you syphoned out onto the bottom of your tank.
Put all of your new gravel in.
If you want to be extra sure (and why not, it doesn't hurt), get a nylon and fill it with some of your old gravel and tie it off. Place that on the new gravel and leave it for one week.
Use the old tank water that the fish are in, and put it back into the tank, along with the fish. If the tank is larger than 10g, try to save more of the original water. 50% is good. Add that back to the tank. The reason for saving all that water is to not shock the fish by putting them in a tank with 100% new water.
That will get you through with no problems
Yes, though, you will need to remove the fish. It will get pretty yucky in the tank.
Gravel vac your gravel a bit, getting a lot of the mulm into a bucket with the water. Drain the top of the water off and save the slimy bottom layer.
Empty (most of the) water. Remove all of your old gravel.
Dump that nasty gunk you syphoned out onto the bottom of your tank.
Put all of your new gravel in.
If you want to be extra sure (and why not, it doesn't hurt), get a nylon and fill it with some of your old gravel and tie it off. Place that on the new gravel and leave it for one week.
Use the old tank water that the fish are in, and put it back into the tank, along with the fish. If the tank is larger than 10g, try to save more of the original water. 50% is good. Add that back to the tank. The reason for saving all that water is to not shock the fish by putting them in a tank with 100% new water.
That will get you through with no problems
Yes, though, you will need to remove the fish. It will get pretty yucky in the tank.