Is This Gravel ok for most plants?

Thanks Orion girl! So I really really want to change out my gravel. It's just too big. It is bigger than even the typical sized pebble. Besides adding fluorite and other supplements I want a very fine gravel. I was looking at Super naturals brand and they make some finer gravel. What is your opinion there? Last part can I change out sunstrate being the tank is 6 months old and if so what is the best method to replace it with the new kind of gravel?
 
Yes, you can change the gravel. There a number of methods, but I really prefer pulling out all the fish/plants/decoration/filter media and storing them in buckets along wtih about half the water. Empty the tank, add new substrate, fill to about 1/4 with new water, plant, add fish, add the stored water and get the filter running, fill the rest of the way with new water. It's basically a nice water change, and avoids many of the hazards of trying to remove substrate and replace it with the tank running--namely, you WILL get dust and silt in the water column. Filling onto a dry substrate with a colander or bowl place to diffuse the water coming back in will really help. Rinsing the new media helps, BUT IMO, you end up losing the fines completely, and I happen to like the fines and feel they act as a good media for microfauna.
 
OrionGirl said:
Yes, you can change the gravel. There a number of methods, but I really prefer pulling out all the fish/plants/decoration/filter media and storing them in buckets along wtih about half the water. Empty the tank, add new substrate, fill to about 1/4 with new water, plant, add fish, add the stored water and get the filter running, fill the rest of the way with new water. It's basically a nice water change, and avoids many of the hazards of trying to remove substrate and replace it with the tank running--namely, you WILL get dust and silt in the water column. Filling onto a dry substrate with a colander or bowl place to diffuse the water coming back in will really help. Rinsing the new media helps, BUT IMO, you end up losing the fines completely, and I happen to like the fines and feel they act as a good media for microfauna.
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Awesome!! I can do that. Thone are perfect instructions. IYO how deep should the gravel be not including any other substrate you may put under it?
 
Personal preference. I have setups with 2-3 inches, some with less, some with more. It will depend on the plants you want to keep. Swords do better with deeper roots, while crypts and vals are ok with shallower roots. I'd say 3 is a good average for the total depth. But I'm not an expert on planted tanks...Mine are all pretty low maintenance.
 
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I've been using a wet/dry shop-vac to remove substrate, including sand. Leave some water in the tank and shop vac away. Fast and easy. Just don't fill it up too full if it's a larger vac as it will be HEAVY. I then use a pot scrubber and water to give the inside a quick scrub, then suck out that water with the vacuum.
 
FreshyFresh that is a great idea!! Shop Vac... I will have to do several trips because this rock is heavy!!
 
I'm not sure my shop vac can suck up that big gravel...Good luck! Though there's nothing wrong with scooping out either, just not as fast & efficient as Joel's method.
 
fishorama said:
I'm not sure my shop vac can suck up that big gravel...Good luck! Though there's nothing wrong with scooping out either, just not as fast & efficient as Joel's method.
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Yah I'm still wondering myself.. see the reason sucking it out appealed to me is my tank is acrylic so I will have to be careful scooping so the gravel doesn't scratch the sides
 
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