View Full Version : What is the best way to remove gravel
beviking
02-25-2003, 2:55 PM
In short:
Don't like gravel color in the tank. It's pea size and smaller (Estes) gravel.
Why?
It's blue and green mix. Not bad, just that it's primarily blue and too distracting.
Why did I put blue gravel in there?
$10 (U.S.) for 70 lbs
I'm thinking I can syphon it out, but probably take out alot of water too.
Any helpful hints (other than don't do it again!) are appreciated.
mt_marcy
02-25-2003, 3:09 PM
well, u could siphon out most of ur water into a clean bucket, put ur fish in, then siphen out the rest of the water to other bucket, remove the gravel, then put in ur new gravel. After, put back your water and of course your fish. Good luck,
mt_marcy!
AikidoGuy
02-25-2003, 3:19 PM
get a net and start scooping :D
NJ Devils Fan
02-25-2003, 4:14 PM
The easiest way would be to just take everything out of the tank completely and then replace the gravel, then put everything back.
ChilDawg
02-25-2003, 4:15 PM
I like Aikido's suggestion...just scoop out as much as possible, but then, start siphoning the rest. As for adding new gravel, I actually did that with fish in tank (probably not the recommended method, but it worked), gently at first so that my Cories, Oto, and Betta realized that I was working in the area and then poured more and more as I went b/c they were out of the way. Spreading the gravel was a little bit of a challenge what with the bottomdwellers, but it worked well. I actually used an algae scraper pad to spread the gravel, and it was a very helpful tool in that regard (can't think of any other uses for it with a Loricariid in tank). Best of luck,
Matthew
syphoning gravel has, in my expirience, resulted in constantly clogged syphon hoses. I just use a specimen tray when removing gravel.
Is the tank established? that would be my biggest concern. Cause if you take out all the gravel you'll lose a lot of benefitial bacteria. just food for thought
ryan
Skittyfish
02-25-2003, 7:04 PM
I have done this, too. I siphoned about a third of the water out, put a small clean bucket in the tank and just scooped the gravel into it and the poured it out, and went back for more. Put the new gravel in the same way. Put the bucket of gravel in the tank and just slowly scooped it out and spread it around. Not hard, but messy. Make sure you put towels or something down on the floor to keep the water soaked up.
valerie
02-25-2003, 11:09 PM
I just replaced my gravel in my 15gal a few days ago. this is how i did it. I took out all the fish and plants to another bucket with water from the tank.Took out the decorations and added them to another bucket with tank water. I then syphoned out all the water i could, then jsut scooped out all the gravel and put in the new. Filled the tank up, redecorated and added back the fish and plants.
I haven't had any prrblems with mini cycles,its like nothiing happened. Just remember to keep your filter media. You could also add some of the old gravel into a nylon and add that back to the filter for added bio filtration if you are worried. But i didn't have a problem
wetmanNY
02-25-2003, 11:48 PM
There's a section "Starting Over" in the SetUp folder at www.skepticalaquarist.com that might have some tips for you.
beviking
02-26-2003, 9:16 AM
Originally posted by wetmanNY
There's a section "Starting Over" in the SetUp folder at www.skepticalaquarist.com that might have some tips for you.
(Thumping head on desktop)...duh, I've seen it before, how could I NOT have checked it out? I would have still posted though. Hope I didn't let you down wetmanNY!
Luca Brazzi
02-26-2003, 9:35 AM
I know a guy who uses a Shop - Vac to do this.
beviking
02-26-2003, 11:17 AM
I've heard of guys using shop vacs for...other things too. Thanks, but no thanks.;)
Luca Brazzi
02-26-2003, 11:40 AM
Yeah... tried that one once too beviking :D ... Didnt work though :(
Hey, there is nothing wrong with a shp-vac for gravel removal. Of course you should have a dedicated shop-vac for the tanks (yes, I do).
I've also never changed gravel with plants or fish in place - they would all be elsewhere prior to the reset.
somefinnfishy
02-26-2003, 4:50 PM
Pull the fish out bucket and airstone em.
drain all water but a 1". Scoop out the gravel with old net leaving a lot of the bacteria then fill with washed gravel the water carefull not to stir it up to bad let the tank settle for a few minutes before you turn on your filters.Its a bit messy but the bottom feeders will love the treat.
somefinnfishy
02-26-2003, 4:54 PM
BTW
If its getting stuck in your hose get a bigger hose:rolleyes:
And I say shop vacs ROCK
tnlguinn
02-26-2003, 5:01 PM
yu could go to the pet store and buy a litter scoop and scoop the gravel out of the tank. just keep it for the fish only.:p
beviking
02-27-2003, 11:37 AM
Originally posted by Luca Brazzi
Yeah... tried that one once too beviking :D ... Didnt work though :(
Hey I didn't say I tried it...did I? Hmm, oh well.:o
Thanks again for the replies. I have a square drink container that I've drilled holes in. I'll see how that works. I think I'll take a few days to do it. Scoop some from one side one day, scoop some from the middle the next, other side and then syphon what is left. Only plasic plants to worry about and very lightly stocked 90gallon tank so I think the fish will be able to get out of the way. Hmph! If only it were a 15 gallon!!!:eek:
beviking
02-28-2003, 9:54 AM
Well that's done! I found a piece of perferated aluminum, bent it to make a scoop, and went to town. Took an hour or so. It worked great! I moved the decor out of the way in 1/3 of the tank. Then scooped in the middle to avoid scraping the silicone in the corners. Then, I held the scoop in place with my thumb and scooped the gravel in the corners into the DIY scoop. I didn't rush it and moved the decor slowly. The fish were hiding but did o.k.. Now to get that natural brown gravel.