Changing gravel

dizzykylie

dizzykylie

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Oct 20, 2006
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*I searched for this topic and couldn't find an exact answer I am looking for, I am sorry if this has been discussed ad nauseum. *

For Christmas I got a 10G tank that was originally set up for my betta (who has since passed) so I was going for a more colorful/fake look. I then decided to get live plants and that made me wish I had gone for a more natural looking gravel. Today I bought a natural gravel that I like and want to put in. I was wondering the best method for changing my gravel (I don't want any mixing of that tacky mauve colored gravel with my natural looking gravel) so as to prevent a total anhilation of my healthy bacteria. I am also battling severe algae issues, but that's another topic I guess. :)

Here is how I am planning to do the change:

I usually change the water and filter every 2 weeks. On the off week I was going to do the gravel change (completely) since the filter will be a week old by then. I was going to put some of the old gravel in ceramic plant cups that I usually keep in my tank. Would it also help to put some of the old gravel, like in a baggie or something, in the filter as well?

Does this plan sound feasible as to not kill my fish? (I have 2 minnows, 3 red-eye tetras, one farowella twig and one snail- yes I am aware I probably should do water changes more freqently). I appreciate any impute you all might have. :huh:
 
I have done a gravel change by doing what you were thinking:

clean the filter one week and then do the gravel change the next, letting the filter handle the extra stress.

it worked okay.

However, it would probably be a good time to add a 'bacteria in a bottle' type additive, like cycle or stress zyme.

I don't usually use these things, but at times like that, I do.

It should help to re-seed the new gravel.
 
First of all, you should be doing 25-50% water changes at least once a week.

When you say that you change the filter, do you mean cartridges in the HOB?

You shouldn't change those until they get completely ragged, rinse them in old tank water when you do water changes every week and they won't get clogged. They hold all the beneficial bacteria your tank needs, and when you change them, it will often throw your tank into a 'mini-cycle'.

For changing your gravel, I would take out your fish and put them in a tub of the tank water, or de-chlorinated water of the same temp as the tank. Then I would do a really deep gravel vaccuming, and take out the gravel and put a good amount of it in a leg of panty-hose. Don't rinse the gravel in anything except the old tank water from the water change. Put the new gravel in, after you've rinsed it in tap water. Fill the tank back up. (use a de-chlorinater) Then let the gravel in the panty-hose hang in the tank for a good 2-3 weeks. This should re-seed your tank and the new gravel in it.

EDIT: Oh yeah, make sure you put your fish back in too! =]
 
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Hey thanks guys! You don't know me Flying Diamond, but you hit the nail on the head when you reminded me not to forget to put the fish back in. I can really see myself forgetting that sadly. I am not sure what an HOB is...but when I change the filter every two weeks, I put a new carbon package in and I clean out the intake filters as well. I do need to up the water changes. Great idea about the panty hose...I never would have thought about that on my own.
 
Your welcome dizzy! I'm also kind of person who would have forgot about something like that. A HOB is a 'hang on the back' filter... I'm pretty sure that's what you have, and the 'new carbon package' is referred to as a cartridge, and like I said, you really only need to rinse it in tank water after water changes once a week, or every two weeks, you don't NEED to replace them.
 
Wow...the cartridge makers are mad at you now :)...I put new one's in every two weeks! Well that's good to know. Thanks for the advice, it will save me a few bucks and help my fish. As, I said, I have only been seriously in the hobby since August (I have a 37 G tall as well) and appreciate any advice anyone can give.

Word of advice to everyone: If you are thinking you might like Mauve colored gravel...you won't after like 3 weeks.
 
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