I have an established breeder tank with gravel. I am going to set it up with Malawi Cichlids and want to use sand. How long will it take to season the tank if I use the same water and some of the larger rocks and other decor that is already in it? I would like to get fish at the end of the week and plan on putting in the sand Monday. Please help:help:
help with changing substrates in established aquarium
- Thread starter animal fanatic
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I would just keep an eye on it, you could also put some of the gravel in panty hose or something similar, and hang it off the side to let the bacteria seed out.
You'll get some bacteria in by using decor. Almost none of the bacteria reside in the water column so that does nothing.
I don't get your question though. If its an 'established' tank...that means it has fish in it...in which case it is likely cycled, if it has been maintained for a few months with the same fish in it. So you wouldn't need to 'season' anything just add your fish. If you are significantly increasing bioload test the water daily for a week or so to make sure everything is caught up.
If your estabished tank has had no fish for a couple weeks then the bacteria are likely all dead and you will have to cycle again.
By the way, did you mean to ask how to change substrate in an established tank ?
I don't get your question though. If its an 'established' tank...that means it has fish in it...in which case it is likely cycled, if it has been maintained for a few months with the same fish in it. So you wouldn't need to 'season' anything just add your fish. If you are significantly increasing bioload test the water daily for a week or so to make sure everything is caught up.
If your estabished tank has had no fish for a couple weeks then the bacteria are likely all dead and you will have to cycle again.
By the way, did you mean to ask how to change substrate in an established tank ?
Coler, I think he is worried about removing the bacteria that is in the "established" gravel and replacing with a brand new substrate. Thats the way I took it anyway??
OP...it shouldn't be much of problem if you are keeping an "established" filter on the tank.
OP...it shouldn't be much of problem if you are keeping an "established" filter on the tank.
I have done this several times without experiencing a mini-cycle. Just keep everything status quo: don't change your filter media before the switch. I saved 50% of my water ( for the fishes' sake ), drained the tank, and added the sand. I used a Python to fill and drain the tank slowly until all the sand had settled and the tank was clear, about an hour. The I refilled with dechlorinated water, added the rest of my saved water and viola! Done. If you're talking a 40 breeder or less, it should be pretty painless.
As Chris said, putting some of the old gravel in a bag in the filter or tank might help if you're concerned. good luck, you'll love the sand!
As Chris said, putting some of the old gravel in a bag in the filter or tank might help if you're concerned. good luck, you'll love the sand!
Cool i just did this to my smaller setups here is my experience..
1. took out current inhabitants..
2. gravel vac the water out and discarded old water..
3. took out rocks/decor..
4. took out old gravel tossed into a 5gal bucket and placed in garage for future use if needed..
5. cleaned inside out with a towel to remove accumulated debris..
6. placed sand in..
7. placed rocks/decor back in..
8. replaced water from my 120gal into new setup (never touched the filter just turned it off)
9. wait a day or two than test water for ammonia and nitrite (no readings)
10 add fish - no worries -
pretty fast and easy to do so.. good luck..
1. took out current inhabitants..
2. gravel vac the water out and discarded old water..
3. took out rocks/decor..
4. took out old gravel tossed into a 5gal bucket and placed in garage for future use if needed..
5. cleaned inside out with a towel to remove accumulated debris..
6. placed sand in..
7. placed rocks/decor back in..
8. replaced water from my 120gal into new setup (never touched the filter just turned it off)
9. wait a day or two than test water for ammonia and nitrite (no readings)
10 add fish - no worries -
pretty fast and easy to do so.. good luck..
Ok, so I've been reading this thread and a couple others to really inform myself because I have the same kind of situation. I have a mixture of crushed coral and starter rock as a substrate and want to switch to sand. Just to be clear, is it ok if i take out all of the substrate replace it with sand and add my fish back in the tank in a couple of hours?? I don't have another tank so they would be hanging out in a 5 gallon bucket, is this ok?
It will just as long as you use water from another setup that has some age on it if not then you will have to start over..
