Can I replace my gravel and add fish the same day safely?

[spankey]

I am setting up my 55 gallon this weekend from a planted tank to a cichlid tank. I am going to pull out my existing fish and give them to my son..

Some ghorami's, ottos, and some barbs....

Any rate. I want to get all the river rock and sand base out of the tank and replace it with flroida crushed coral for ph reasons and looks...

My question is this.. I have a magnum 220 on the tank now for about 6 months... I just added an AC300 last week.. If I try to keep 50% of the water for biological reasons? Will I be able to add fish the next day? Safely? Or doing a 50% water change, will I have to re-cycle the tank? I am considering a malawi setup...

Also is coral messy, should it be washed really good before adding?

Thanks
Spankey

[Faramir]

Water's not the issue for biofiltration. Gravel and filter media are. Keep them and you should be OK.

[spankey]

Yeah I think the river rock should look OK?

My tanks PH is exactly 8.0 and my PH is high at 9.0!!!!:eek: So I think I will leave things well enought alone and remove the community fish and start adding my CICHLIDS!!!! YAHOOO......

I can't wait...:D

Spankey

[delmore]

Originally posted by spankey
My tanks PH is exactly 8.0 and my PH is high at 9.0!!!

???

[spankey]

LOL-

Opps.. Sorry bout that... ????

I meant to say that my tanks ph is steady at 8.0 and my TAP water is at 9.0.... So my tank is holding a ph of 8, so I see no need for crushed coral. I think the river rock is buffering it at 8.0...


Sorry for not adding that.....

Spankey