Replacing substrate (gravel) in a shrimp tank

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lake_tuna

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Dec 14, 2009
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I currently have this fading fake-looking blue gravel that came with the 10g tank I bought a while ago. I'm going to replace this with gravel that has permanent color, hopefully, soon. I was thinking either light-colored substrate, or something black. I wanted to check with people who has done this kind of substrate replacement a couple of things.

1. Is it safe to entirely switch out old gravel and put in new gravel at once? It's my understanding that some good bacteria live in the gravel. The HOB filter for this tank is established, and there's also a sponge filter, which is not established. I have about 25 adult and several (~20) shrimp fry in there, in addition to about a dozen baby zebra danio and cherry barb fry.

2. Any suggestions for light-colored or dark-colored gravel? I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, and I don't want to bother with sand. Crushed coral looks pretty neat, but I read that it may raise my pH? pH is at 7.5-ish now.

Here's a picture of the gravel:
IMG_2996.jpg
 
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i've read that darker gravels bring out more color in shrimp.. especially RCS's..

as for switching gravel, i'd do half on a water change, and the other half on the next water change just to be safe :D
 
I recommend black, the RCS would look great in it. I once changed all the substrate at once and had no problems, but if you're worried about it you can change half one week and half the next. Crushed coral does raise your pH, you can get some black pea gravel from a hardware store for cheap as long as you clean it really well.
 
I would think that dark colored substrate will help "enhance" the shrimps' colors. You could use black sand or gravel. The black will really constant well with red color on the shrimp.
I don't think there will be problems with switching out all the substrate. Since the filter is established with bacteria- you shouldn't have to worry about having to re-cycle the tank. Good luck! From the picture, your shrimp look healthy! I am planning on getting some Cherry Shrimp in spring when the weather warms up for my 29g guppy tank.

Trevor
 
I would go with black gravel. Because shrimp are so sensitive top ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate I would switch out one half of the gravel one water change and the other half the next week.
 
I would switch the black gravel and switch it all at once. There is enough bacteria in the filter to prevent the tank from re cycling. Just make sure to do a large water change after wards. I changed out all the substrate in my 5 gallon invert tank at once and I had no loses.
 
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